Following a recent procedural setback, the Government of Nepal has submitted a reinforced dossier of evidence to Interpol headquarters in Lyon. The move is a renewed attempt to secure a Red Notice against former five-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, former Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, both of whom are currently facing a high-profile money laundering investigation.
The Bottleneck: Interpol’s Initial Rejection
Earlier this month, Interpol reportedly returned Nepal’s initial request for a Red Notice without approval. The international body questioned the “legal threshold” of the case, suggesting the money laundering charges appeared to have been initiated in a single step without a clearly established predicate offense. Interpol had also noted that the documentation regarding the specific charges and the investigation’s current stage was insufficient.
The “Burnt Currency” Evidence
In response to these queries, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI), through the Nepal Police’s National Central Bureau (NCB), has now provided what officials believe is the “smoking gun” needed to establish criminal intent:
-
Forensic Evidence: Authorities submitted detailed reports on fragments of burnt foreign and domestic banknotes recovered from the Deubas’ Budhanilkantha residence following the violent “Gen Z” protests in September 2025.
-
Verification: Forensic tests have confirmed the fragments were genuine currency. Investigators allege the couple attempted to destroy massive amounts of unaccounted cash as protesters breached their residence.
-
Court Warrants: Officials also included the formal arrest warrants issued by the Kathmandu District Court on April 7, 2026, which legally classify the couple as fugitives.
Current Whereabouts & Diplomatic Complexity
The Deuba couple has not been seen in Nepal for several months. While they initially traveled to Singapore for medical treatment in late 2025, recent intelligence reports suggest they may currently be in Hong Kong.
The case has deep political and diplomatic undercurrents:
-
Money Laundering Scope: The investigation has expanded beyond the Deubas to include three former prime ministers and several family members, including their son, Jaiveer Singh Deuba, who is also abroad.
-
Safety Claims: Legal experts suggest that even if a Red Notice is issued, the couple may argue for political asylum or raise concerns about a “fair trial,” citing the physical injuries they sustained during the 2025 residence attack.
-
Political Fallout: The Nepali Congress (NC) continues to maintain that the investigation is a “politically motivated witch-hunt” by the current administration.
Next Steps
The Interpol Secretariat is currently reviewing the additional documents. If the new evidence—specifically the link between the burnt currency and the money laundering allegations—satisfies their requirements, a Red Notice could be issued within weeks. This would allow international law enforcement to locate and provisionally arrest the couple for extradition back to Nepal.