Kathmandu, Oct. 5 -- level committee formed to study criminal charges against Gen Z protesters has recommended against withdrawing cases for a vast majority of those arrested during the September 9 unrest last year, citing strict legal barriers surrounding criminal offenses.

Despite intense political pressure to recommend the withdrawal of charges against as many defendants as possible, the study committee-headed by former High Court judge Baburam Regmi-advised that charges can only be withdrawn for around 300 out of 1,778 individuals named in 445 cases. The report stressed that existing laws explicitly prohibit the government from withdrawing cases against the remaining defendants, who face accusations of severe criminal acts such as mu...