National Human Rights Commission Recommends Investigations into Former PM, KP Sharma OLI, Sushila Karki and Sudhan Gurung, Over 50 Others Over Gen-Z Protests

Kathmandu, May 27: — Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended detailed investigations into a wide range of political figures, protest organizers, lawmakers, and social media influencers for their alleged roles in the violent events of 23 and 24 Bhadra (September) during last year’s Gen-Z protests.

The recommendations, formally submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, stem from a probe led by NHRC member Dr. Lily Thapa. The commission concluded that serious human rights violations occurred during the protests, which turned violent despite being initially permitted as peaceful demonstrations.

Key Recommendations

The NHRC has called for further investigation to determine whether high-profile individuals, including former Prime Minister Sushila Karki and former Home Minister Sudhan Gurung (also chairman of Hami Nepal), had any involvement in or incited the violence that led to human and material losses.

The commission’s resolution specifically asks authorities to examine:

• Whether these individuals’ actions, statements, or expressions contributed to inflaming protesters.
• If they incited or failed to prevent the deterioration of public peace and order.
• Their overall role before, during, and after the protests, based on social media posts, published interviews, and intelligence reports from the National Investigation Department.

Long List of Individuals Recommended for Probe

The NHRC has named more than 50 individuals for further investigation. Prominent names include:

Protest Organizers and Leaders:

• Purushottam Yadav
• Sabal Gautam
• Ankit Mall
• Khemraj Saud
• Sudhan Gurung (Chairman, Hami Nepal)

Other Notable Figures:

• Sushila Karki
• Ganesh Karki -MP RSP
• Sulabh Kharel -MP RSP
• Bablu Gupta –MP RSP
• Raksha Bam
• Krishna Karki –MP RSP
• Dr. Toshima Karki–MP RSP
• Rajiv Khatri-MP RSP
• Shom Sharma–MP RSP
• KP Khanal–MP RSP
• Deepak Bohara–MP RSP
• Manish Jha–MP RSP
• Jwala Sangroul-MP RSP
• Hemraj Thapa–MP RSP
• Bimal Pant
• Aman Pratap Adhikari
• Vivek Thapaliya
• Sisan Baniya
• Ashika Tamang–MP RSP
• Asim Man Basnet
• Bhagya Neupane
• Tank Dahal
• Victor Poudel– Admin Routine of Nepal Banda FBPage
• Umesh Bohara
• Shiv Yadav
• Binod Deuba
• Saru Sunuwar
• Bhim Upadhyay
• Ravi Kiran Hamal
• Hari Dhakal –MP RSP
• Nischal Basnet
• Om Prakash Aryal ex-homeminister
• Gauri Bahadur Karki
• Pashupati Khadka
• Durga Prasai
• Urja Baral
• Jerry Tamrakar
• Hemsagar Bidrohi
• Buddha Chiring
• Santosh Rajawadi
• Amit Khanal
• Deepak Devkota
• Gaurav Baral
• Himani Rajyalaxmi Singh
• Nishan Mainali

Many of these individuals are described as activists, protest callers, supporters, or social media influencers whose statements may have contributed to the protests turning violent.

Raswa Party Lawmakers Under Scrutiny

The commission has also flagged several lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswa Party). Particular attention is given to Manish Jha and Hari Dhakal regarding the circumstances of party chairman Ravi Lamichhane’s release from Nakkhu Prison. The NHRC has recommended a “microscopic investigation” into their roles.

Action Against Top Government and Security Officials

In a separate but related set of recommendations, the commission has identified several top officials for accountability:

Recommended for Prosecution via New Law:

• Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli
• Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak
• Former Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung

The NHRC has suggested enacting a new law with penalties of up to six months imprisonment or a fine of Rs 300,000 (or both) for human rights violations, with cases to be handled by a special court.

Departmental Action Recommended:

• Current IGP Dan Bahadur Karki (then AIG)
• IGP of Armed Police Force Narayan Prasad Poudel (then AIG)
• Other senior police and intelligence officials including DIG Om Bikram Rana, SSP Bishwo Adhikari, SP Jeevan K.C., and others.

No Future Government Positions:

• Former Nepal Police Chief Chandrakuber Khapung
• Former Armed Police Chief Raju Aryal
• Former National Investigation Department Chief Hutraj Thapa

The commission has also advised cautioning the Nepal Army units stationed at Singha Durbar and Sheetal Niwas during the events.

Background

The protests on 23 and 24 Bhadra were largely youth-driven (often referred to as Gen-Z protests) and began as peaceful demonstrations but escalated into violence, resulting in significant human and property damage. Organizers had received permission for peaceful protests, but authorities were accused of failing to prevent violence or manage infiltrators effectively.

The NHRC’s report emphasizes ensuring fair hearings for all named individuals while seeking accountability for human rights violations. The commission has already forwarded its full recommendations to the government for necessary action.

This development is likely to spark significant political debate in Nepal, given the involvement of senior politicians, sitting and former lawmakers, and influential public figures across multiple parties.