Govt suspends passports of former PM Oli, four others

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to suspend the passports of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and four others.

The decision was taken based on the request of the judicial inquiry commission led by former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, which is investigating the events of September 8 and 9.

The foreign travel ban also applies to the then Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, the then Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, the then National Investigation Department Chief Hutaraj Thapa and Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal.

Issuing a statement on Sunday, the commission also requested the government to ensure that these individuals do not leave the Kathmandu Valley without its prior permission.

“These individuals are under the commission’s scrutiny for investigation into the incidents of September 8 and 9. Necessary action should be taken to restrict their foreign travel, and they must be available to appear before the commission at any time. They may not leave the Kathmandu Valley without the commission’s approval,” it added in the statement.

The commission has also sought additional human resources, including experts, to effectively carry out the investigation and submit the report on the September 8-9 events.

Bigyan Raj Sharma, a member of the commission, said they have already requested the home ministry for additional staff.

Nineteen youths died when security personnel opened fire at unarmed protesters during the Gen Z protest in Kathmandu on September 8. Oli was the Prime Minister at that time, while Lekhak was his Home Minister.

The commission requested their travel ban to ensure that they are available for questioning regarding their involvement in these events.