Former Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been cleared to travel domestically and abroad after giving statements to two high-profile commissions investigating the violent protests that led to the collapse of his government last year. The decision to lift restrictions on Sharma  comes as Nepal prepares for national elections amid lingering political tension, unresolved accountability questions, and deep public anger over corruption and state violence.

KP Sharma, who served as Nepal’s prime minister three times and remains chair of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), or UML, had faced travel restrictions following the September uprising that toppled his administration. The protests, initially sparked by a controversial government ban on social media platforms, rapidly escalated into a nationwide anti-corruption movement fueled by years of frustration over nepotism, economic mismanagement, and perceived authoritarian governance.

The unrest proved deadly. According to official figures, at least 77 people were killed during the protests, while more than 2,000 others were injured in clashes with security forces. The violence represented one of the gravest political crises Nepal has faced since the end of its civil war, raising serious concerns about democratic backsliding, abuse of power, and the militarization of internal security.

On January 4, KP Sharma gave statements to both the high-level judicial inquiry commission and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), marking a significant reversal from his earlier refusal to cooperate. Officials from both bodies confirmed that his testimony was recorded under established legal protocols.

Bigyan Raj Sharma, spokesperson for the judicial inquiry commission, said a senior official visited Sharma’s residence to record his statement. While declining to reveal details of the testimony, Sharma confirmed that Oli’s cooperation satisfied procedural requirements, prompting the commission to lift travel restrictions.

“Our joint secretary went to his residence, and we have recorded the statement,” Sharma said, emphasizing that confidentiality rules prevent disclosure of the contents.

Following the interviews, the commission formally announced that  Sharma is now permitted to leave the Kathmandu Valley and travel internationally. The move signals a key procedural milestone as the investigation enters its final phase.

The judicial inquiry commission was established by Nepal’s interim government, which assumed power in September following Oli’s resignation. The interim administration has pledged to restore political stability, investigate corruption and human rights violations, and organize general elections scheduled for March.

The commission’s mandate includes determining responsibility for the use of force against protesters, assessing whether security agencies acted lawfully, and evaluating the role of senior political leaders in decision-making during the crisis. As prime minister and chair of the National Security Council at the time, Sharma remains a central figure in these inquiries.

In parallel, the National Human Rights Commission is conducting its own investigation into alleged abuses, focusing on violations of international human rights standards, accountability for deaths and injuries, and the conduct of both state and non-state actors.

Lily Thapa, the NHRC member leading the probe, said Sharma appeared in person at the commission’s offices and was questioned for more than two hours.

“He has given his statement, and we are currently analyzing it,” Thapa said. “Our questions focused on his role and the incidents that occurred. We had around 30 to 35 questions, and he answered them.”

Throughout the crisis, Sharma has consistently denied ordering police or security forces to use lethal force against demonstrators. His supporters argue that the violence was chaotic, that security forces were overwhelmed, and that armed provocateurs may have contributed to the unrest.

However, critics point to Sharma’s dual role as head of government and chair of the National Security Council as evidence that ultimate responsibility rested with him. Human rights groups have also questioned the proportionality of the state response, citing eyewitness accounts, video footage, and medical records documenting injuries consistent with live ammunition.

Sharma’s relationship with the judicial inquiry commission has been fraught from the outset. He previously accused the body of political bias and publicly refused to cooperate, arguing that its leadership had prejudged his guilt.

Those concerns have not disappeared. Rajan Bhattarai, a senior UML leader, told investigative journalists that while the party supports accountability in principle, it remains uneasy about the commission’s leadership.

“We are for a credible, impartial, and independent investigation,” Bhattarai said. “But the question now is the credibility of the chair of the commission who has already posted his opinion without investigation.”

The commission is chaired by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, who drew controversy during the protests after posting on social media that politicians, including Sharma, should not be allowed to “flee” the country. Critics argue that such statements compromise the appearance of neutrality, while supporters contend they reflected public outrage at the time.

Despite his government’s collapse and the ongoing investigations, Sharma has demonstrated remarkable political resilience. In December, just months after being forced from office, he was re-elected as chair of the UML for a third term, consolidating his influence within one of Nepal’s most powerful political parties.

This re-election underscores the deep polarization within Nepali politics. For supporters, Sharma remains a strong nationalist leader unfairly targeted by rivals. For opponents, his continued dominance reflects a failure to hold powerful figures accountable and a troubling normalization of political violence.

The outcome of the commissions’ reports may significantly shape public opinion ahead of the March elections. While the commissions lack prosecutorial power, their findings could prompt criminal investigations, influence judicial proceedings, or reshape party alliances.

Both commissions have already interviewed a wide range of witnesses, including former ministers, Kathmandu’s mayor, senior security officials, injured protesters, families of victims, and civil society representatives. Their final reports are expected within three weeks.

As Nepal approaches a pivotal election, the handling of the protest violence investigations will be closely watched both domestically and internationally. The credibility of the commissions, the transparency of their findings, and the willingness of political institutions to act on their recommendations will all serve as tests of Nepal’s democratic maturity.

For now, the lifting of travel restrictions on KP Sharma Oli marks not an end, but a transition-from investigation to judgment, and from crisis management to political reckoning. Whether Nepal emerges stronger, more accountable, and more democratic from this turbulent period remains an open question.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings