Nine-Day Justice March Ends After Government Reaches Agreement with Meter Loan Victims
A nine-day protest against illegal moneylending practices came to an end on Friday after the Government of Nepal and representatives of meter loan victims signed a nine-point agreement at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar. The agreement followed extensive negotiations between a government team led by Prime Minister’s Office Secretary Pushkar Sapkota and a victims’ delegation coordinated by Avadhesh Kushwaha.
The agreement commits the government to declaring illegal moneylending a criminal offence and recommending a formal proclamation at the next Cabinet meeting. Fraudulent documents linked to illegal lending, including promissory notes, mortgage deeds, property registrations and coercive cheques, will be rendered invalid once the declaration is approved.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with drafting a law within three months to criminalise illegal moneylending. The proposed legislation will include provisions for returning property seized from victims, providing compensation, addressing displacement caused by predatory lending, and establishing a dedicated judicial body to hear meter loan cases.
The agreement also provides for the review of criminal cases filed against victims, the creation of high-level and district-level committees to oversee implementation, and the establishment of a dedicated grievance desk at the Prime Minister’s Office. In addition, the government pledged to investigate money laundering linked to illegal lending, provide legal aid and rehabilitation to victims, and strengthen financial documentation requirements for lenders.
Following the signing of the agreement on July 17, 2026, the Justice March from Janakpur to Kathmandu was officially suspended, bringing the protest movement to a peaceful conclusion.
