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Kathmandu, October 14 – A judicial inquiry committee established to examine the violence that occurred on September 8-9, including killings and fires, has received approximately a dozen reports. As per the committee, two private firms have submitted complaints outlining their damages, while other reports were filed by individuals.

During the Gen Z campaign, 74 individuals lost their lives, with the majority of the complaints received thus far originating from the police. Two complaints were submitted by the families of the injured, urging that those in authority at that time be held legally accountable under the criminal code for the fatalities resulting from state crackdowns on September 8.

Police personnel stationed in the field have also submitted reports highlighting the destruction of police stations and the theft of arms. Their five-page statements provide a thorough account of the thefts and breaches, especially on September 9.

The identities of the officers remain secret, and they have called for immediate legal measures against those accused of using modern weapons in an untargeted manner.

Another grievance requests the recording of conversations involving Rastriya Swatantra Party Acting President DP Aryal, wife of RSP leader Rabi Lamichhane Nikita Poudel Lamichhane, RSP Vice President Swarnim Wagle, AIG Dan Bahadur Karki, former Kathmandu CDO Chhabilal Rijal, former home secretary Gokarna Mani Dawadi, and Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal. The complaint also claims that Nakkhu Prison was attacked as part of a plan to free Lamichhane.

The individuals filing the complaint have asked for a review of all video content from social media platforms connected to the events and for interviews with police communication officers working in the control room who relayed instructions from higher-ranking to lower-ranking personnel.

Bhatbhateni Supermarket has lodged a complaint, stating losses amounting to over Rs11 billion across 20 stores, with 12 of them entirely destroyed. The company mentioned that items valued at over Rs500 million were stolen, and numerous other goods were damaged due to acts of vandalism. In a similar incident, Global College in Kathmandu, which protesters set ablaze under the claim that it served the children of politicians, reported damage to structures worth approximately Rs700 million.

Established on September 21, the committee is led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, with former AIG Bigyan Raj Sharma and legal specialist Bishweshwar Prasad Bhandari serving as members. Despite a three-month tenure, the committee used its first 20 days to organize its activities—starting at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, then moving to Singha Durbar because of limited space.

The committee has started the process of collecting testimonies from police officers who were stationed at Maitighar Mandala, New Baneshwar, and Tinkune on September 8.

As stated by spokesperson Sharma, the first step will be to collect statements from field officers, after which higher-level officials will be interviewed according to the hierarchy. “We will start with constables, then field commanders, and finally senior officials,” he mentioned.

Following interviews with security officials, the commission intends to call upon political leaders, such as the heads of all four security agencies, members of the National Security Council, former home secretary Gokarna Mani Dawadi, ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak, and ultimately the former prime minister KP Sharma Oli.

The commission has also requested information from prisons across the country about the escape of prisoners, including specifics from Nakkhu Prison on Lamichhane’s release—how he was set free and how many other inmates escaped with him.

It has requested the Supreme Court, political party offices, and the private sector to present reports regarding property damage. The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries have also been asked to supply information.

To take legal action against individuals responsible for vandalism and destruction of public property, the commission has started gathering evidence, encouraging the public to send photos, videos, or CCTV footage through email, WhatsApp, or by visiting its office at Singha Durbar. The police have gathered over 37,000 images, videos, and social media links connected to arson, looting, and damage to public property.

As per DIG Binod Ghimire, these materials will undergo detailed examination, with the results provided to the commission as part of the continuous criminal inquiry. The commission has recently sent back the complaints lodged against former Prime Minister Oli and former Home Minister Lekhak to the police, noting that criminal investigations are within the police’s authority.

Complaints submitted by the National Youth Federation Nepal, the youth wing of the UML, and the Nepal Students’ Union, the student wing of the Congress, have been acknowledged by the commission. The commission also intends to examine media coverage as part of its evidence collection efforts.