Nepal Delays Gen-Z Protest Report Release, Awaiting New Government

Nepal's Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki announced the detailed report from the high-level commission investigating the 2023 Gen-Z protests will not be released soon, as the interim government prepares to hand over authority. The commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, submitted a 900-page main document supported by thousands of pages of evidence analyzing the violence that unseated the previous government. The report includes findings on the causes of the protests, which saw at least 77 deaths, and provides recommendations for systemic reforms to prevent recurrence. The interim PM stated the focus is now on studying the report internally before presenting a summary, with full implementation left to the incoming administration.

Key Points: Nepal Interim PM Delays Release of Gen-Z Protest Inquiry Report

  • Report release delayed for new government
  • Inquiry probed deadly 2023 protests
  • Commission gathered thousands of pages of evidence
  • Aims to prevent future violent incidents
4 min read

Nepal Interim PM to delay release of Gen-Z protest report

Nepal's interim government will not immediately release the detailed Gen-Z protest report, leaving implementation to the incoming elected administration.

Nepal Interim PM to delay release of Gen-Z protest report
"We won't be releasing all the detailed accounts, but the crux of it. - Sushila Karki"

By Binod Prasad Adhikari, Kathmandu, March 8

Nepal's Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday said that the detailed report of the high-level investigation commission on Gen-Z protest will not be released anytime soon, as the interim government will now be involved in the handover to the newly elected government.

Karki announced the decision after receiving the over 900 paged document at a closed-door event held at her office, as per the video of the event released by her secretariat.

"Regarding its implementation, we won't be in power till that time as we have to handover authority to the upcoming government, and I am confident that they'll study it and implement it in the coming days. For now, we will also study it- I, along with the Home Minister, will be involved in this process and also present it to the cabinet amongst all the sitting ministers. Possibly after that, we might move forward towards releasing it. We won't be releasing all the detailed accounts, but the crux of it," Karki said on Sunday.

The judicial commission under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki was formed on September 21 last year by Shushila Karki.

Formed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1969, the panel was tasked with identifying the causes behind the violence, vandalism, looting, and arson, and recommending action. It has the power to summon individuals, collect evidence from government or public offices, require document submissions, and recommend action for non-cooperation.

"It should be implemented. Though the new government is responsible for putting it into practice, the suggestions that we have given would help to prevent these kinds of incidents from recurring. In the report, we have given the recommendations based on fields where improvements are required. The incidents as such happened because of the maladministration, in order to maintain good governance all, the national bodies and authorities needs reform, we also have given measures for it," Gauri Bahadur Karki, the former Chief Justice and the head of the investigation committee, said in the event.

The commission also had received about 300 complaints of personal losses, police reports, and photos and videos. The inquiry commission also had recorded statements from Nakkhu Prison chief Satyaraj Joshi and Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane, who was in judicial custody at the time and walked out when protesters reached the prison on September 9.

"The report is above nine hundred pages, which also consists of the sub-sections. If we combine all the documents and evidence, then it will be a total of between eight and ten thousand pages. The incidents of September 8 and 9 have been analysed in detail," Bigyanraj Sharma, another member of the commission, had briefed the media after submission of the report.

According to the commission, statements from around 30 security personnel, including police constables and officers, were completed in November itself. During the quiz, the officials were asked how the situation escalated to firing on September 8 and how the protest turned to vandalism and arson the following day.

"This has only been possible because of their tireless efforts. They've done an in-depth study, and they've used their personal experience of being in a top position in the police, while in the judicial body or the legal field, those people with the experience, I am really hopeful that they have made the issue crystal clear. It would help the nation a lot, and it indeed is a topic of study. If any incidents of this scale happen in the future, then it can be taken as a reference," Interim Prime Minister Karki said.

The two-day Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 unseated the KP Sharma Oli government, where at least 77 people were killed as the government tried to suppress the protestors.

After three days of deliberations, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed the interim Prime Minister of the nation, who had recommended dissolving the parliament.

Upon Karki's recommendation, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives on September 12 and announced fresh polls for March 5, 2026.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I understand the procedural need for a handover, the families of the 77 people who lost their lives deserve transparency. Releasing just the "crux" is not enough. The full report, or at least significant summaries, should be made public to ensure accountability. 🇳🇵
R
Rohit P
From an Indian perspective, we see similar patterns where inquiry reports get buried. Nepal's stability is crucial for the region. Hope the new government doesn't sweep this under the rug. The recommendations on "maladministration" and "good governance" are lessons for all democracies.
S
Sarah B
900 pages plus thousands of evidence pages... that's a massive investigation. The commission seems to have done thorough work. It's prudent to let the elected government handle implementation, but the public has a right to know what their tax money funded. Release it soon.
V
Vikram M
The mention of "reform" for national bodies is key. Often, it's systemic failure that leads to such tragedies. I respect PM Karki's confidence in the new govt, but public pressure must be maintained to ensure they actually "study and implement" and not just file it away. Jai Hind.
N
Nikhil C
A bit disappointed by the delay, but maybe it's the right call. A rushed release by a caretaker government could be politically messy. Let's hope the March 2026 elections bring a stable government that can handle this sensitively and deliver real reform. 🤞

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50