Nepal security chiefs cleared of prosecution over protest deaths; report held up

A government committee tasked with reviewing recommendations to prosecute senior security officials over the September protest violence has concluded there is insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. The panel, headed by former High Court judge Prem Raj Karki, completed its work on July 6, but the report has not been formally submitted to the government.

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The minister said he would first consult the prime minister and then arrange a suitable time for the report to be handed over.

Officials familiar with the process reported that the committee attempted to submit the report to the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9. However, Home Minister Sudan Gurung reportedly declined to receive the document, directing the committee to submit it directly to the prime minister. A home ministry official stated that the minister indicated he would consult the prime minister before arranging a time for the report's handover, but no appointment has been scheduled since.

The delay in submitting the report has sparked questions about the administration's willingness to act on the politically sensitive recommendations stemming from last year's deadly protests. The Gauri Bahadur Karki commission had previously recommended criminal proceedings against senior officials who commanded security operations during the protests, which resulted in 76 deaths. The earlier commission concluded that top security leadership failed to intervene effectively during the four-hour clashes before a curfew was imposed.

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I have no information regarding the report. You may need to inquire with the prime minister’s office or the committee itself.

Despite the committee's findings that available evidence does not support criminal prosecution, despite acknowledging serious shortcomings in planning, command, and crowd management, the report's non-submission remains a point of concern. The committee's tenure has expired without an extension, and information officers at the ministry claim no knowledge of the report's current status, suggesting inquiries be directed to the prime minister's office or the committee itself.

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The prime minister may not have had time to receive the report because of his busy schedule.