KATHMANDU, Dec 29: Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has submitted a written statement to the probe commission investigating the incidents of September 8 and 9, stating that he never ordered the use of force during the protests.
Appearing before the probe commission at Singha Durbar on Monday, Lekhak presented his account of the events and clarified his role during the unrest. In his written response, he claimed that he had explicitly instructed security agencies to avoid casualties.
He said that during the Central Security Committee meeting held on September 7, he gave three clear directions: to ensure no loss of life, to maintain law and order through coordination, and to remain alert against possible infiltration during the protests. “I never issued any written or verbal order to open fire or suppress the movement,” Lekhak stated.
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Lekhak argued that although the demands raised by the Gen-Z group were legitimate, the movement was later “hijacked” by anti-democratic elements and turned violent. He claimed that attacks on Parliament, courts, and government offices were not part of the protesters’ original plan but were carried out by groups seeking to exploit the situation for their own interests.
He told the commission that he resigned on moral grounds after the incident, considering it inappropriate to remain in office following the large-scale human casualties.
During his statement, the former home minister also expressed personal grief over the losses he suffered during the violence. He said his houses in Mahendranagar and Kathmandu were set on fire, destroying historically important documents related to the peace process. He also mentioned that his ailing mother, who was on oxygen support, had to be displaced due to the attack on his home and passed away a few days later.
Lekhak accused the current government of acting with prejudice against him. He objected to the government’s decision—based on the commission’s recommendation—to seize his passport and restrict his movement outside the Kathmandu Valley three months ago, calling it a violation of the rule of law. “Restricting a citizen’s freedom without information or justification goes against legal principles,” he said.
Following the deaths of 76 people and extensive damage to public and private property during the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9, an interim government had formed the probe commission. The panel has already recorded statements from former security chiefs and other concerned officials.
The probe commission had formally summoned Lekhak for his statement on December 23
