The Tamesis
May 7, 2026
kathmandu – Interpol has informed Nepali authorities that no red notices can be issued against former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his spouse, former foreign minister Arsu Rana Deuba, who are under investigation for money laundering.
Interpol also disputed the request, noting that the alleged crimes linked to the Deubas did not appear to be established and that the money laundering investigation appeared to have been initiated in one step, officials said. It said the legal threshold for issuing a red notice had not been met and asked for details on the specific charges and the current stage of the investigation.
After the Kathmandu District Court issued an arrest warrant against the couple on April 7, 2026, the Money Laundering Investigation Department sought a red notice from the Nepal Police.
The department has forwarded the arrest warrant and details of the ongoing investigation to initiate Interpol proceedings.
Sources at police headquarters confirmed that the red notice request had been returned without approval.
After an arrest warrant was issued, the couple was placed on a fugitive list.
The whereabouts of the Deuba couple have not yet been officially confirmed. However, there are reports that they may be in Hong Kong, but neither the government nor their families have made any official statement on their location.
The development comes after the couple was injured during a Gen Z protest on September 9, when their home was attacked. They were evacuated with the help of Nepali Army and taken to hospital for treatment.
During the protests, a video was circulated online purportedly showing a large amount of cash at the couple’s Budhanilkantha residence. Later, Sher Bahadur denied the claim, saying the video was a fabrication generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Soon after, they traveled to Singapore for medical reasons. After their return, just before the March 5 parliamentary elections, Deuba again traveled to Singapore via Tribhuvan International Airport, while Azu Rana Deuba was reportedly passing through India before joining him.
Authorities subsequently included the couple in a money laundering investigation while they were abroad. Several relatives under investigation are also outside Nepal. According to reports, Deuba’s son is currently abroad. His nephew was a provincial councilor and was said to have traveled to India and then to the United States. Rana’s brother is also reportedly overseas.
