Former Prime Minister Deuba Couple Abroad; Nepal Prepares to Issue Interpol Arrest Notice
Following an investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Department, Kathmandu District Court has issued an arrest warrant against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Dr. Arju Rana Deuba. The couple left for medical treatment in Singapore on February 27 and are currently reported to be in Hong Kong. After the issuance of the arrest warrant, the Nepal Police are moving forward with the process to detain the couple through Interpol. Kathmandu, March 8.
An arrest warrant has been issued against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Dr. Arju Rana Deuba. This action was taken following the discovery of irregular business activities involving the Deuba family, based on recommendations by the Anti-Money Laundering Department. Consequently, Kathmandu District Court issued the arrest warrant. Although the warrant has been issued, the couple is not currently in Nepal; they traveled to Singapore for medical treatment on February 27 and then moved to Hong Kong on March 21.
According to sources, they remain in Hong Kong. Despite the warrant, since they are abroad, Nepal Police are advancing procedures to effect their arrest via Interpol. Given that Interpol requires official court documents, police have begun preparing the necessary paperwork. “Previously, it was not possible to issue an Interpol notice because Interpol needed the court documents first. However, now that the pathway is open, the process will proceed,” stated a senior police officer.
The National Central Bureau (NCB) at the Nepal Police Headquarters will facilitate the issuance of the Interpol notice. Once issued, the 196 Interpol member countries will be authorized to arrest the Deuba couple and initiate legal proceedings to bring them back to Nepal. While the couple remains abroad, demolition work was carried out at the Deuba residence in Budhanilkantha. However, the administration ordered a halt to the demolition to prevent destruction of evidence, ensuring the process is paused upon official instruction.
