Apr 09, Kathmandu - In a significant development, former Prime Minister Képi Sharma Oli and Ramesh Lekhak are set to be released from detention today, following an order from the Supreme Court. According to sources, the police are preparing to free them in accordance with the court's directive.

The decision to release the two individuals was made with the consent of the government’s legal representatives, under the condition that they will cooperate and appear during investigations.

Oli and Lekhak had been in custody since Chaitra 14 after being detained by police for their involvement in the events of Bhadra 23 and 24. Their arrest came after the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission, formed to investigate those incidents, recommended their detention. The police had further extended their custody through a third request from the Kathmandu District Court.

However, in a ruling on a habeas corpus petition, the Supreme Court ordered the authorities not to extend their detention beyond the fourth period and instructed that, if investigations are incomplete, they should be kept outside custody to facilitate further inquiry. Following this order, the process for their release has been initiated.

A bench comprising Justices Vinod Sharma and Sunil Kumar Pokhrel directed that the investigation should be completed and, if not, they should be released from detention as per the Criminal Procedure Code of 2074 (Nepali calendar), allowing continued investigation outside custody.

The incidents on Bhadra 23 and 24 in Banasthali, Kathmandu, involved police firing during protests, resulting in the tragic death of several teenagers. At that time, Oli was serving as the Prime Minister and Lekhak was the Home Minister.