KATHMANDU: The probe commission led by former justice Gauri Bahadur Karki has directed that the passports of five former officials, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, be suspended in connection with the human casualties during the Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9.
The Commission of Inquiry, 2082, has brought them under investigation and instructed relevant authorities to bar them from traveling abroad.
A meeting of the commission on Sunday decided that former PM Oli, former Home Minister Lekhak, former Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, former National Intelligence Department chief Huta Raj Thapa, and then Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal must seek approval before leaving the Kathmandu Valley, as they may be summoned for questioning.
The commission’s statement said, “As they may be required to appear before the commission at any time for investigation, it is deemed necessary to impose a travel ban.”
The commission has also decided to write to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting additional experts and manpower to ensure an effective and impartial investigation.
Commission member Nishan Raj Sharma stated that the step was taken to make the investigation fair and systematic.
Comment