Kathmandu: A forensic investigation has confirmed that Nepalese security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators during the recent anti-corruption protests, raising serious concerns over state accountability and the use of excessive force.

The report by Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Medicine found that at least 33 of those killed were struck by high-velocity bullets, with many sustaining fatal injuries to the head and chest. Only one protester was found to have been hit by a rubber bullet, challenging earlier claims by authorities that security forces relied primarily on non-lethal measures.

The protests, which erupted in response to corruption allegations, nepotism, and a controversial social media ban, resulted in 74 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries. Most of the demonstrators were young people demanding systemic reform and greater accountability from political leaders.

The findings come as Nepal’s interim government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, has established a three-member commission to investigate the violence. The panel, headed by retired judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, has been given three months to deliver its report. The United Nations and rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have urged the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation.

The political fallout from the crackdown has already led to the resignation of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Elections are currently scheduled for March 2026, but analysts warn that the timeline could be delayed due to the scale of the crisis and continuing unrest.

International observers and rights advocates stress that the credibility of Nepal’s new leadership will hinge on its ability to deliver justice for the victims, maintain rule of law, and respond to the demands of a younger generation disillusioned by years of entrenched corruption.