An arrest warrant has been issued against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation, according to officials familiar with the development.
Authorities have obtained the warrant from the Kathmandu District Court as part of a probe into alleged illegal wealth accumulation. The case is being handled by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, which has been examining financial records and asset disclosures linked to the couple.
Officials confirmed that the court has already granted permission for arrest. However, enforcement has not been possible as both Sher Bahadur Deuba and Arzu Rana Deuba are currently outside Nepal. Their absence has delayed immediate action despite the legal clearance.
The money laundering investigation is understood to focus on the source and legitimacy of assets reportedly connected to the couple. While specific details of the alleged financial irregularities have not been publicly disclosed, the move to secure an arrest warrant suggests that investigators believe there is sufficient basis to proceed further under existing laws.
This development has drawn attention within political and legal circles, as Sher Bahadur Deuba remains one of Nepal’s most prominent political figures, having served multiple terms as prime minister. Arzu Rana Deuba, a former minister and influential political leader, has also played a key role in national politics.
Legal experts note that once the couple returns to Nepal, authorities may move swiftly to execute the warrant in line with court orders. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation is expected to continue gathering evidence and coordinating with relevant agencies during this period.
The money laundering investigation into the Deuba couple is likely to have broader political and legal implications, especially as scrutiny over financial transparency and accountability intensifies in Nepal’s public life.
