Mayor Shah submits written response to Gen Z probe

KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balen Shah (Balen) has submitted a written response to the investigation commission formed to probe the Gen Z movement that took place on Bhadra 23 and 24 (Sept 8 & 9).

The commission had formally requested Mayor Shah to provide his explanation regarding the movement.

Confirming the development, commission spokesperson Gyanendra Raj Sharma said the mayor’s written response has been received. “Mayor Shah’s written reply has reached the commission,” Sharma stated.

With the collection of statements and written submissions nearing completion, the commission has now entered the report-drafting phase.

Last week, it recorded the written statement and testimony of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

Earlier, the commission had already gathered relevant details and data related to the Gen Z movement.

After taking statements from lower-level security officials, it proceeded to record testimonies from senior officials, including the then Kathmandu Police Chief, officials from the Valley Police Office, and top officials of the Nepal Police Headquarters.

Statements have also been taken from the Armed Police Force, the National Investigation Department, the Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, the then Home Secretary, and the Chief Secretary.

According to commission sources, Chief of the Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel also appeared before the panel along with senior army officials to give his statement.

The commission had initially recorded statements from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane and other key figures.

With testimonies and written responses from all sides now collected, the commission has intensified preparations for its final report.