Nepal Supreme Court Halts Arrest of Ex-PM Deuba, Wife as Probe Faces Legal Questions

Nepal’s Supreme Court has barred the arrest of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba in a controversial money laundering case linked to last year’s deadly Gen Z protests in Kathmandu.

A division bench of Justices Mahesh Sharma Paudel and Nityananda Pandey issued an interim order questioning the legality of arrest warrants issued by the Kathmandu District Court on April 6. The court observed that proper due process had not been followed and noted that such cases should fall under the jurisdiction of the Special Court , not a district court. Reports also pointed to procedural flaws in the warrant, including incomplete identification details.

The case stems from violent anti-government protests held on September 8 and 9 last year, in which 76 people were killed. Protesters allegedly attacked the Deuba residence in Budhanilkantha, where the couple reportedly suffered injuries. Videos showing burnt bundles of Nepalese and US currency later went viral, prompting an investigation by Nepal’s Department of Money Laundering Investigation . Authorities claimed forensic analysis confirmed the ashes were genuine currency notes.

The Deuba couple have been abroad since before Nepal’s March elections, reportedly receiving medical treatment in Singapore and Hong Kong. Nepal Police also sought an Interpol Red Notice , but Interpol reportedly rejected the request twice, citing insufficient evidence and procedural concerns. The investigation remains active despite the court’s order.