KATHMANDU: Former Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka has strongly denied Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal’s claim and media reports alleging that he fled abroad after the Gen Z protests.

Speaking at a press conference from his charred residence in Budhanilkantha and later going live on Facebook, Khadka said he was in Nepal the entire time and accused the government and some media of spreading misinformation to mislead the public.

“Has the government issued a warrant against me or restricted my movement? How can they say I ran away?” Khadka questioned. “I am a citizen of this country. Why would I flee? I actually feel pity seeing the media behave this way.”

He added that such false reports had confused society and hurt his family deeply. “These things may not affect me as a politician, but they have caused great pain to my wife and child.”

Khadka recounted that on September 9 during the height of the Gen Z movement, he was at home when protesters began attacking his house. “I was eating when people started banging on the door. The army came for protection. I couldn’t finish my meal or feed my child,” he said. “My security guards helped us escape. Later, I stayed at a neighbor’s home, then in an army camp, and after a few days in the Tarai, I went to India for dengue treatment.”

Khadka also expressed anger over reports claiming that millions in Nepali and foreign currency were found in his home. “Such baseless stories are meant to defame me,” he said.

He accused the government of serving the interests of “brokers and agents” instead of the people. “Is the government gambling away the nation for the sake of middlemen and agents?” he asked.

Responding to Aryal’s earlier remarks that “the then Energy Minister has already fled” and that the ministry was studying ways to stop others from leaving, Khadka said such statements were politically motivated.

He described the Gen Z movement as legitimate but warned of “invisible forces” trying to destabilize the nation.

“I won’t comment much on this government; it has the duty to conduct elections and ensure stability,” Khadka said. “But political parties must move forward with a common vision to protect the nation’s democratic future.”