KATHMANDU: Constitutional expert Nilambar Acharya has warned that acts of political revenge and crackdowns are counterproductive, following the arrest of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak after the formation of the new government under Balendra Shah.

“Things are happening that are very unsettling,” Acharya said, adding, “Revenge and crackdowns do no good.”

Home Minister Sudhan Gurung confirmed that police had taken Oli and Lekhak into custody early Saturday morning, stating: “PROMISE IS A PROMISE: No one is above the law. Former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and outgoing Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak have been brought under control. This is not revenge against anyone, only the beginning of justice. I believe the country will now move in a new direction.”

The arrests were carried out from Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur early Saturday. The government acted to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on the Bhadra 23–24 (September 08-09, 2025) incidents immediately.

The first cabinet meeting of the Balendra Shah-led government on Friday had decided to enforce the commission’s recommendations, prompting the police to execute the arrests.