The ruling coalition has emphasised an impartial investigation and the protection of the democratic process in response to the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s protests over the arrest of its chairman, Rabi Lamichhane.

The prime minister’s secretariat said the coalition parties at a meeting on Wednesday agreed to issue separate statements urging fair judicial proceedings and adherence to democratic norms.

RSP chair and former home minister Lamichhane was arrested by a Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) team from his party office in Kathmandu on Friday and subsequently taken to Pokhara for trial for cooperative fraud and organised crime. A complaint has been registered at the Kaski District Police Office accusing Lamichhane of misusing millions of rupees from a Pokhara-based cooperative.

RSP leaders, activists, and supporters have staged demonstrations in Pokhara and other places for the past few days, demanding the release of its chairman, Lamichhane. Party chief Lamichhane and several others are accused of misappropriating funds from the Pokhara-based Suryadarshan Savings and Credit Cooperative. His arrest followed a parliamentary probe that linked him and others to the embezzlement of millions of rupees from the cooperative.

The probe panel submitted its report a month ago and the government had immediately decided to implement its findings.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak briefed leaders during the alliance meeting on the government initiatives to implement the parliamentary investigation report concerning cooperative fraud, which led to Lamichhane’s arrest. He said protests aimed at pressuring the judiciary during ongoing criminal investigations are inappropriate.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli emphasised the need for unity among coalition parties, reaffirming their commitment to democratic principles, values, and norms. “We have fought for democracy, and only democracy is acceptable to us. Anarchy and unwanted activities will not be tolerated. We are dedicated to making people sovereign and will remain steadfast in our commitment. We are clear on this,” the prime minister’s secretariat quoted him as saying at the meeting.

The prime minister also announced he would address the nation from Singha Durbar at 3pm today, outlining the government's achievements in his first 100 days in office.

The meeting at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar reiterated that the government is working decisively on democratic principles, the rule of law, good governance, and public service delivery, according to the prime minister’s secretariat.