Police order led to Gen Z protest killings in Nepal, BBC investigation finds | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Gen Z Protest (September 8th, 2025): A large-scale protest in Nepal driven by young people against government corruption and social inequality.
• Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandra Kuber Kapum: Nepal’s top police officer alleged to have authorized the use of live fire against protestors.
• Live Fire Authorization: The documented order given via police radio permitting the use of live ammunition during the protest.
• Forensic Video Analysis: The BBC’s method of reconstructing events using over 4,000 videos and photos.
• Accountability & Impunity: The lack of legal consequences for those responsible for the deaths during the protest.

The September 8th, 2025 Protests and Allegations of Police Authorization of Live Fire

The BBCI investigation centers on the events of September 8th, 2025, in Kathmandu, Nepal – a day marked by the deaths of 19 protestors during a demonstration led by Gen Z against government corruption and widening social inequality. The protests were largely organized and fueled by social media, with trends exposing perceived misconduct by leaders and their families. The investigation focuses on establishing who authorized the use of live ammunition against the protestors, ultimately leading to the alleged involvement of Nepal’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chandra Kuber Kapum.

The Order to Use Live Ammunition

According to internal police documents reviewed by the BBC, permission to deploy live ammunition was issued via police radio at 12:40 PM on September 8th. The recorded communication, relayed through the call sign “Peter one” – identified as IGP Chandra Kuber Kapum – stated, “Curfew already in place. No further need to obtain permission. Deploy necessary force.” Kapum has publicly denied responsibility for the order. However, Nepal Police claim the order was pre-approved by a government security committee. This claim remains unverified within the scope of the BBC’s investigation.

Reconstruction of Events: The Case of Shriam Chawagay

The BBC utilized forensic analysis of over 4,000 videos and photos from the day to reconstruct the sequence of events. The case of 17-year-old Shriam Chawagay, a schoolboy killed during the protests, serves as a focal point. Shriam joined the tens of thousands of protestors, believing his age and school uniform would offer protection. His mother recounts advising him against attending, fearing potential violence, but he assured her he would be safe.

Less than two hours after the authorization of live ammunition, at least four people were shot dead, and Shriam was again visually confirmed within the crowd. Video footage shows Shriam turning away from a confrontation where protestors were throwing stones at police, moments before he was fatally shot. This detail highlights the targeting of unarmed protestors.

Escalation and Aftermath

Following the initial shootings, the situation rapidly deteriorated over the subsequent 48 hours. Parliament was reportedly stormed, and at least 50 more people were killed, leading to the resignation of the Prime Minister. Despite the scale of the violence and loss of life, an official inquiry into the events has yet to publish its findings.

Lack of Accountability and Ongoing Grief

As Nepal prepares for elections on March 5th, no one has been held accountable for the deaths on September 8th. The investigation underscores a climate of impunity surrounding the incident. Shriam Chawagay’s mother poignantly expresses her enduring grief and inability to accept his death, stating, “In my mind, he is in his school uniform. He'll return swinging his bag. I wish he would return. I've not been able to accept that he's no longer here.”

Technical Terms

• Forensic Analysis: The application of scientific methods to investigate and analyze evidence, in this case, video and photographic material, to reconstruct events.
• Call Sign: A unique identifier used in radio communication, particularly within military or police contexts.
• Impunity: Exemption from punishment or freedom from judicial sanction.

Synthesis

The BBCI investigation reveals a disturbing account of the events surrounding the September 8th, 2025 protests in Nepal. The evidence points to a direct link between an order issued by the Inspector General of Police, Chandra Kuber Kapum, authorizing the use of live ammunition, and the subsequent deaths of 19 protestors, including the tragic case of Shriam Chawagay. The lack of accountability and the delayed findings of the official inquiry highlight a critical failure in the justice system and underscore the urgent need for transparency and redress for the victims and their families. The investigation serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked police power and the importance of protecting the right to peaceful protest.