Former Nepal PM Deuba Returns Home Despite Arrest Warrant

Former Nepalese Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba returned to Nepal on Thursday (August 13), despite an arrest warrant issued against him in a money laundering case. The 80-year-old veteran politician returned home nearly six months after leaving the country for medical treatment, TRT World reported.

After leaving Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Deuba waved and smiled at hundreds of supporters gathered along the road to welcome him. Police were deployed at the airport and around a gathering organized by his supporters as part of security arrangements.

Nepal Police spokesperson Abhi Narayan Kafle said police were providing security to Deuba because of his status as a former prime minister. The case against him is being investigated by the Money Laundering Investigation Department.

An arrest warrant was issued against Deuba in April over allegations of money laundering. He has denied the allegations. An arrest warrant has also been issued against his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, a former foreign minister of Nepal.

Deuba left Nepal in February for medical treatment and had remained abroad since then.

After new Prime Minister Balendra Shah came to power, authorities began a wider crackdown on several influential political figures. In March, former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were briefly arrested over their alleged roles in suppressing deadly protests in September last year.

Nepal’s political landscape underwent major changes following the youth-led Gen Z movement that began in September 2025. The protests initially erupted over a short-term ban on social media platforms but later developed into a broader movement against corruption, unemployment and economic hardship.

At one point, protesters set fire to the Parliament building and several government and political facilities, eventually forcing the government in power at the time to step down.

Deuba’s residence was also set on fire during the protests. Videos widely circulated on social media appeared to show protesters attacking Deuba and his wife.

Allegations also emerged that a large amount of cash had been found at Deuba’s residence. However, in testimony to a commission investigating the protests, Deuba claimed the videos could be fabricated.

He described the incident as a conspiracy but said he did not know who was behind it.

The investigation commission has recommended further investigation into allegations concerning large amounts of cash reportedly found at Deuba’s residence and other properties.

Meanwhile, Deuba has also lost his position as leader of the Nepali Congress. Facing demands from younger party leaders for a change in leadership, he stepped down as party president in January.

Deuba has served as Nepal’s prime minister several times during his long political career.

Source: TRT World