| HEADLINE |
|
Former Nepal PM Deuba returns despite arrest warrant
Published : Thursday, 13 August, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
Former Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba returned home on Thursday after nearly six months abroad for medical treatment, despite an arrest warrant issued against him in a money laundering case.
The 80-year-old veteran politician received a warm welcome from hundreds of supporters after leaving Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. He waved and smiled at the crowd as police were deployed at the airport and around a gathering organised by his supporters for security.
Nepal Police spokesperson Abhi Narayan Kafle said police were providing security to Deuba because he is a former prime minister. The case against him is being investigated by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.
An arrest warrant was issued against Deuba in April over allegations of money laundering. The legal action came after the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah took office following the fall of the previous government amid the Gen-Z-led protests.
Deuba left Nepal in February for medical treatment and had remained abroad since then. The five-time former prime minister has denied all allegations against him. He is expected to attend his party's three-day general convention, beginning Friday.
An arrest warrant has also been issued against Deuba's wife, former foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba. The warrant was issued about a month after Balendra Shah's landslide victory among young voters in an election held following deadly protests in September last year.
Since taking office, the Shah administration has launched a crackdown on several prominent political figures. Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were also briefly arrested in March over allegations of violence during the 2025 protests.
The youth-led protests initially began over a temporary social media ban but later became an expression of widespread anger over longstanding corruption and economic hardship. Protesters set fire to the parliament building and other government facilities, eventually forcing the government to resign. Deuba's residence was also set on fire, while videos showing an attack on the couple circulated online.
A large amount of cash was also reportedly recovered from Deuba's residence. In testimony before an investigative commission, however, Deuba described the videos as fake and part of a conspiracy, saying he did not know who was behind them. The commission has recommended further investigation into the alleged recovery of money from Deuba's property.
-HIS
Loading...
Loading...
Also read
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
