Kathmandu, 10 Dec: The commission formed to investigate the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24 has begun taking statements from officials responsible for policy decisions and issuing orders. However, as former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak appear unwilling to appear, the commission has prepared a strategy to have them brought in by arrest if needed. Formed on Asoj 5 with a three-month mandate, the commission has only about two weeks left, yet has not completed taking statements. After finishing statements from security personnel and administrators deployed on the ground, the commission has now moved to the political level.
According to commission spokesperson Bigyan Raj Sharma, statements from around 150 people have been completed. Remaining are statements from former PM Oli, former Home Minister Lekhak, former Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, and Nepal Police IGP Dan Bahadur Karki. On Bhadra 24, Karki had just been transferred as Valley Police Chief. Based on the commission’s recommendation, Oli and Lekhak have been barred from foreign travel and leaving the Kathmandu Valley without permission. Oli has publicly called the commission unconstitutional and refused to appear. Spokesperson Sharma, however, says there should be no doubt that their statements will be taken. They will first send letters summoning them; if they do not come, legal procedures will follow, including requesting the government to ensure their presence.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said the government is prepared to deploy police if the commission formally requests. Since their statements are necessary for investigation, restrictions on Oli and Lekhak have been imposed. Sharma added that all senior officials, including the current IGP and the Chief Secretary, have already appeared before the commission.
Former Home Minister Lekhak said he has not received any letter yet and would comment only after receiving one. UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said the commission is unacceptable to their party, so Oli has no reason to appear.
The commission recently recorded statements from Armed Police Chief Raju Aryal and may call him again if needed. Earlier, former police chief Chandrakuber Khapung was also questioned. Statements of Kathmandu’s then CDO Chhabi Rijal were taken in Mangsir; he may be called again. Rijal had faced heavy criticism for allegedly ordering the firing that killed a protester at New Baneshwor on Bhadra 23.
The commission has also questioned the then Chief Secretary, the former heads of Nepal Police and National Investigation Department, and several senior security officials. It has questioned those deployed in the field as well as Rabi Lamichhane and Nakkhu Prison Chief Satya Raj Joshi, who were released on Bhadra 24.
The government formed the three-member commission led by former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki to investigate deaths, property damage, causes of the incidents, preventive measures, and to recommend actions against those responsible. The commission has authority to order document submissions, conduct searches, seize evidence, restrict passports, and arrest suspects, though past commissions rarely used arrest powers.
The commission aims to complete remaining statements this week and begin drafting the report. If the report cannot be finished on time, it may request an extension.
