Kathmandu, March 29 -- The arrests of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak on Saturday morning have sent shockwaves through the country.

The high-profile arrests from their respective residences in Gundu and Suryabinayak of Bhaktapur were notable for one significant absence-a court-issued warrant of arrest. The authorities instead relied on an 'urgent warrant of arrest' to take the leaders into custody, according to senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai, who is Oli's legal counsel.

Under the prevailing National Criminal Procedure Act 2017, law enforcement agencies are empowered to issue such urgent arrest warrants if they perceive an immediate risk of a suspect fleeing the country or destroying crucial ...