Nepal, April 6 -- The Supreme Court on Monday ordered that the detention of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak cannot be extended any further, paving the way for their release later this week.

A joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued the mandamus order stating that even if the habeas corpus petitions filed by their wives are dismissed, the investigation period against the two leaders for their role in the Gen G movement cannot be prolonged beyond the current extension.

On Sunday, the Kathmandu District Court had extended their custody for the third time by five days, citing the need for further investigation. Neither Oli nor Lekhak has been formally charged, and both...