Kathmandu- President Ram Chandra Poudel has submitted a written response to the Commission of Inquiry formed to investigate the incidents that took place on Bhadra 23 and 24.
The Commission had sent a formal letter to President Poudel about a week ago, seeking clarification on various aspects of the incidents. Commission spokesperson Vigyanraj Sharma confirmed that the President’s written response has now been received.
According to Sharma, the Commission had asked the President detailed questions, including how the events of Bhadra 24 unfolded and his whereabouts during the incident. President Poudel has responded to those queries.
On Bhadra 24, protesters vandalized and set fire to parts of the President’s Office at Sheetal Niwas. Following the escalation, and after security forces were unable to fully secure the premises, President Poudel was relocated to the Bhairavnath Battalion for safety.
While the President initially remained at the army barracks, he later became actively involved in political consultations related to government formation. During that period, discussions involving various political forces, including the Genji group, were also held, with the Nepal Army playing a facilitative role, according to the Commission’s findings so far.
Earlier, on Bhadra 10, Sushila Karki was appointed Prime Minister by the Office of the President. On the same day, the House of Representatives was dissolved on the recommendation of Prime Minister Karki.
A three-member Commission of Inquiry, chaired by former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, was constituted on September 21, roughly two weeks after the formation of the new government, to investigate the sequence of events and responsibilities surrounding the unrest.
The Commission has already recorded statements from several key figures. These include the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, whose statements were taken at designated locations. Written responses have also been sought from former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Dahal. Speaker Ghimire submitted his response on Tuesday, while Chairperson Dahal is yet to do so.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) has also submitted his written response. Former Prime Minister Oli provided a written statement instead of appearing in person, which was accepted by the Commission.
In addition, statements have been recorded from then Home Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi; Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel; then Inspector General of Police Chandrakuber Khapung; Armed Police Force Inspector General Raju Aryal; Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki; former Chief of the National Investigation Department Hutraj Thapa; and then Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal.
Some individuals, including the author and former Prime Minister Oli, were briefly placed under house arrest prior to recording their statements. The Commission has since lifted those restrictions after completing the required testimonies.
With most statements and documents now collected, the Commission has moved ahead with drafting its final report.
