Update (18:48 NST, October 5, 2026)
The cabinet’s decision on Monday, October 5, 2026, to forward the report on Gen-Z movement criminal cases means the Home Ministry will now study the committee’s recommendations, legal complexities, and criminal law provisions to determine which types of cases can be withdrawn, government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said. The report, submitted to Home Minister Sudhan Gurung on October 1, 2026, by a committee chaired by former Justice Baburam Regmi, outlines specific criteria for case withdrawal.
The committee recommended against withdrawing cases involving fatal attacks on security personnel, assaults on police stations, and weapon looting. However, it suggested that cases against individuals who participated in protests and chanted slogans, but were not involved in other criminal activities, should be withdrawn.
This decision is viewed as a significant step amid continuous public and political demands for the unconditional release of arrested youth and the dismissal of their cases.
Update (17:17 NST, October 5, 2026)
The cabinet, meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026, decided to forward a report concerning criminal cases related to the Gen-Z movement to the Home Ministry, which oversees internal security and administration. Government spokesperson and Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel announced that the report, submitted by a committee chaired by former Justice Baburam Regmi, will be sent for necessary action.
The committee’s findings indicate that 1,887 individuals are facing 445 criminal cases across 33 districts in connection with the Gen-Z movement. Some of these individuals are absconding, while others are in custody or released on bail or date, the committee stated.
In other decisions, the cabinet approved the acceptance of approximately Rs 100 million in grant assistance from the Norwegian government to promote clean energy transformation in municipalities. The meeting also approved the Nepal Engineering Service Formation, Group and Class Division, and Appointment Second Amendment Rules, 2083 (BS), and the Alternative Development Finance Mobilization Regulations, 2083 (BS).
Additionally, Joint Secretary Padam Kumar Mainali was promoted to Secretary of the Nepal Engineering Service Grouping and assigned to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has convened a cabinet meeting today, Monday, October 5, 2026, at 3 PM at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. Separately, the Judicial Council, a body responsible for recommending judicial appointments, will meet tomorrow to discuss recommendations for four vacant Supreme Court judge positions.
Cabinet and Judicial Council Meetings
The Prime Minister’s Secretariat announced that today’s cabinet meeting is expected to address regular administrative functions and various policy and contemporary issues. However, a detailed agenda has not been publicly disclosed.
Chief Justice Manojkumar Sharma has called the Judicial Council meeting for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 1 PM. The council, chaired by Chief Justice Sharma, includes Law Minister Sobita Gautam and senior Supreme Court Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Maheshkumar Nepal, and Damodar Khadka. The primary purpose of the meeting is to deliberate on and recommend candidates to fill the four vacant Supreme Court judge positions.
Meanwhile, Speaker Dolprasad Aryal departed for Tanzania on October 4, 2026, to participate in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global organization of national parliaments. The assembly is scheduled to run from October 5 to 9, 2026.
Prime Minister Shah’s Political Journey
Balendra Shah, a structural engineer and rapper, became Nepal’s 43rd Prime Minister on March 27, 2026. His appointment followed the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) securing a nearly two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives election on March 5, 2026. Shah notably defeated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency by a margin of approximately 50,000 votes.
His government was formed under Article 76(1) of Nepal’s Constitution 2072, marking the first time a Prime Minister has been appointed using this specific provision since the constitution’s promulgation. Before assuming the premiership, Shah served as the 15th Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City from 2079 to 2082 BS. A significant political shift, known as the “Gen Z Movement,” in September 2025, contributed to the collapse of the previous government, paving the way for the RSP’s rise.
Growing Discontent in Madhesh
Prime Minister Shah is the first Prime Minister of Madhesi origin. Initially, the RSP garnered unprecedented support in Madhesh during the March 5 election, securing historic votes in both direct and proportional representation categories. However, within 100 days of the government’s formation, discontent has reportedly grown in the Madhesh province, with even some RSP lawmakers expressing dissatisfaction.
Leaders of Madhesh-centric parties, including Upendra Yadav, Mahant Thakur, Prabhu Shah, Rajendra Mahato, and CK Raut, are reportedly suspicious of Prime Minister Shah. CK Raut has warned that the country could face a crisis and the balance of state organs could be disrupted if the current situation persists. Demands from Madhesh include fair market prices for crops and government support for fertilizers, seeds, and technical assistance. Some reports indicate that Madhesh-centric parties are preparing to intensify protests against the Balendra Shah government after the Chhath festival.
Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has asserted that the Balendra Shah-led government would not collapse and urged respect for the public mandate.
Uncertainties Remain
The specific agenda and decisions expected from today’s cabinet meeting have not been made public. Similarly, the names of the candidates who will be recommended to fill the four vacant Supreme Court judge positions remain unknown. The long-term impact of the growing discontent in Madhesh on the stability of the Balendra Shah government is also yet to be seen.
