Nepal's former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has been taken to hospital following his arrest over his alleged involvement in a deadly crackdown on protests last year. Oli was admitted to a clinic in Kathmandu as a part of routine police procedure soon after his arrest at his home early on Saturday morning, officials say. More than 70 people were killed, many of them protesters shot by police, during an uprising in September - which was sparked by a social media ban but fuelled by anger over corruption and economic conditions.

Ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak was also arrested on Saturday, after a panel appointed to investigate the unrest recommended the pair be prosecuted for criminal negligence. Oli was admitted to hospital pending results from medical tests considering his age and medical history of two kidney transplants.

The arrests come a day after the nation's new prime minister, 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah, was sworn in following an election triggered by the crisis. Kathmandu Valley police spokesman Om Adhikari confirmed that the process would move forward according to the law for both Oli, 74, and Lekhak, 62, who have not yet been charged.

Oli has previously rejected findings of the commission, stating they were characterized by political motivations. His lawyers have argued that his detention is unwarranted at this stage of the investigation, calling it illegal and improper. Supporters of Oli's CPN-UML party have started protests following the news of the arrest, while the new Home Minister Sudan Gurung, a prominent figure in the protests, welcomed the action, stating that 'no one is above the law.'

The recent unrest, referred to as the Gen-Z protests, stemmed from frustrations over various issues including high unemployment and widespread corruption and nepotism. Families of the deceased have been vocal in demanding accountability, as the impact of the tragedy continues to resonate across the nation.