Panel begins study into security lapses during Gen Z protest

Kathmandu, Apr. 30: A committee formed to study and examine recommendations made in the report of the commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki into incidents during the Gen Z Movement, especially of September 9 incidents, has commenced its preliminary work, focusing on members of the security apparatus.

The committee, which has been given a one-month mandate, is currently in the process of drafting its internal working procedures, according to officials.

The move follows a provision in the 100-point governance reform agenda endorsed by the Council of Ministers on March 27, which includes the formation of a probe panel to investigate the events of September 9, 2025. Clause 7 of the agenda stipulates that the committee shall be tasked with collecting and analysing all relevant details, identifying responsible parties, and submitting a report within a specified timeframe, after which further necessary legal or administrative action may be initiated on the basis of its recommendations.

The committee is chaired by former High Court judge Prem Raj Karki and includes retired Additional Inspector Generals from both the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police. Tek Prasad Rai of Nepal Police and Subodh Adhikari of APF are the members of the new committee led by Prem Raj Karki. 

Chairman Karki confirmed that initial groundwork has begun. “We are currently formulating procedural guidelines in line with the government’s terms of reference for making recommendations,” he said. “We will operate strictly within the defined scope, examining the commission’s findings and their basis to arrive at fair conclusions.”

The committee has been assigned to review recommendations made in the inquiry report concerning individuals and institutions within the security apparatus, including security officials and civil servants involved in security committees, and to suggest actions in accordance with prevailing law.

The formation of the committee follows widespread debate and controversy surrounding the report of the commission led by former Supreme Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, prompting the government to establish a separate panel under former judge Prem Raj Karki.

“Such committee (Prem Raj Karki) reports are advisory in nature; thereafter, the relevant legal authorities conduct detailed investigations,” said former DIG Hemanta Malla. “The extent to which security personnel acted within or beyond the law is ultimately for investigative bodies to determine.”

Following the government’s decision to implement the Gauri Bahadur Kari Commission’s report, the then Prime Minister and Home Minister were arrested.

However, the newly formed committee has been tasked specifically with advising on lawful action against security officials.

Its mandate also allows it to submit recommendations in phases, a provision observers say enables the panel to issue findings on individual officials as and when conclusions are reached, rather than waiting for a comprehensive final report.

Former DIG Malla added that the committee is expected to further analyse policy-level recommendations made by the commission and examine areas requiring deeper clarification or additional investigation.

Cases registered against 933 persons 

According to Police Headquarters, during the Gen Z movement, 933 cases have been registered across the country in connection with various offences linked to the destruction that took place on September 9, including 379 in the Kathmandu Valley.

By March 29, 2026, a total of 963 accused had been arrested, and of them 191 were still in custody awaiting trial, according to the police. The remaining 474 had been released on bail.

Of those arrested, nearly 700 have been charged with criminal mischief, while cases of homicide have been filed against 20 individuals, DIG Abi Narayan Kafle, Spokesperson for the Nepal Police Headquarters, said.

Malla said that, as per the government-defined scope of work, the committee led by Prem Raj Karki cannot go beyond the report submitted by the commission headed by Gauri Bahadur Karki.