Nepal’s Supreme Court has said that important documents forming part of the country’s judicial history were nearly destroyed in the recent student-led anti-government protests, even as it pledged to resume operations at the earliest.

“We remain steadfast and determined on the path of justice under all circumstances,” Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut said in a statement on Thursday (September 11, 2025).

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“We pledge to resume court operations at the earliest to address citizens’ expectations of justice,” he was quoted as saying by MyRepublica news portal on Saturday (September 13, 2025).

The Chief Justice expressed grief over the damage caused to court buildings owing to arson, stone-pelting, vandalism and looting during the Gen-Z movement that swept across the country. “Important documents integral to Nepal’s judicial history nearly destroyed in the violence,” he said.

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Mr. Raut also expressed sorrow over the deaths of Nepali citizens in the violence and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. According to the latest data released by Nepal Police, at least 51 people, including an Indian national, died in the student-led protests that culminated in the fall of the K.P. Sharma Oli government on Tuesday (September 9, 2025).

The agitation, which began on Monday (September 8, 2025) against a government ban on social media, quickly expanded into a larger campaign reflecting public anger over corruption and perceived apathy of the political class.

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The ban on social media was lifted on Monday night (September 8, 2025), but violence continued with protesters torching Parliament, the President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s residence, government buildings, political party offices and homes of senior leaders.

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in on Friday night (September 12, 2025) as Nepal’s first woman Prime Minister to head an interim government, ending days of political uncertainty.

A semblance of normalcy returned to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) after two days of massive protests that turned violent following the deaths of 19 people, mostly youth, on Monday.

The Nepal Army has taken charge of security, with military personnel deployed across the capital.

The Army is also using loudspeakers, urging citizens to maintain peace and order and refrain from vandalism.

In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, the Army said prohibitory orders are in place until 5 p.m., followed by a curfew from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday.

The Army has stated that only essential service vehicles — ambulances, hearses, fire trucks, and vehicles carrying health professionals or security personnel — will be allowed on the roads during the period of prohibitory orders and curfew

Constitutional and administrative vacuum

Following K.P. Oli’s resignation on Tuesday, triggered by massive Gen Z-led protests demanding an “end to corruption and misgovernance”, Nepal is now facing a constitutional and administrative vacuum.

Tuesday’s protests escalated to a boiling point. Demonstrators torched major state institutions — including the Supreme Court, Parliament, and Singha Durbar, the seat of government. Several other government buildings were also set on fire or vandalised across the country.

Protesters also set ablaze nearly all outlets of Bhat Bhateni Super Store, the country’s largest retail chain, in Kathmandu. They further attacked the homes of prominent politicians, many of whom are now under Army protection.

Leaders seek peaceful solution

After Mr. Oli’s resignation, President Ram Chandra Poudel and Nepal Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel separately called on all sides to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful solution through dialogue.

In a national address later on Tuesday, Gen. Sigdel said the Army was calling on all protesting groups to suspend their programmes and come forward for dialogue in order to resolve the crisis peacefully.

President Poudel is currently in consultation with the Army, which is also holding talks with representatives of the protest movement. However, it remains unclear who exactly is representing the protesters in these negotiations.

Nepal Supreme Court halts hearings sine die

The Supreme Court of Nepal suspended all hearings until further notice. In a notice, the Chief Registrar said that all files, documents, and servers were destroyed in Tuesday’s arson attack.

As a result, hearings scheduled for Wednesday have been cancelled, and all proceedings from Thursday onward have been suspended indefinitely, the court said.

Army urges foreign nationals to seek assistance

The Nepal Army has advised all foreign nationals who are stranded or require assistance in Nepal to contact nearby security personnel or authorities.

“Hotels, tourism operators, and other organisations hosting foreign nationals are also requested to coordinate and facilitate any rescue or support efforts as needed,” the Army said in a statement.