Authorities in Nepal have issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba over alleged corruption, marking the latest move in an expanding crackdown on high-profile political figures.
Court officials in Kathmandu confirmed that the warrant was issued following a request by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation. A separate warrant was also issued for his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, a former foreign minister.
Deuba, 79, who is currently abroad for medical treatment, denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
“An investigation on money laundering has been initiated against my family and me… False propaganda is being spread concerning my family’s property,” he said in a statement.
Reports indicate that authorities may seek an Interpol notice, as the couple is believed to have recently travelled to Singapore.
Political Crackdown Intensifies
The development comes shortly after the election of Balendra Shah, Nepal’s new prime minister, whose administration has pledged sweeping anti-corruption reforms following the deadly 2025 uprising.
Deuba, a five-time prime minister and senior figure in the Nepali Congress party, insisted his public life had been transparent.
“My life has been an open book. I have spent my entire life striving for the establishment of a democratic system of governance in Nepal,” he said.
Linked to Wider Investigations
The arrest warrants follow a series of actions against former officials, including the recent detention of ex-prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former interior minister Ramesh Lekhak over their alleged roles in the violent crackdown on anti-corruption protests in September 2025.
The protests, which began in Kathmandu and spread nationwide, led to widespread unrest, including the burning of government buildings and the eventual collapse of the administration.
Deuba’s residence was also attacked during the unrest, with reports alleging that cash was discovered at the property—claims he dismissed as fabricated.
“This is a conspiracy… videos circulating on social media must be AI-generated,” he said.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing into alleged money laundering activities, with more arrests possible as the government intensifies efforts to tackle corruption and restore public confidence in governance.
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