The government of Nepal is poised to apprehend former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his spouse, former foreign affairs minister Arzu Rana Deuba, in connection with a money laundering investigation.

The Kathmandu District Court has authorized law enforcement to detain the Deuba couple and conduct inquiries regarding the case. The couple reportedly departed for Singapore around late February, citing medical reasons, but are now thought to be in Hong Kong.

Officials indicate that any arrest notice may be delivered through Nepal’s diplomatic mission in Hong Kong. Should the Deuba couple decline to return for questioning, the government might seek assistance from Interpol, according to sources. This arrest warrant coincides with the anticipated release of another former prime minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, following a ruling from the Supreme Court.

Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak were detained on March 28 based on findings from the Gauri Bahadur Commission of Inquiry, which investigated the alleged excessive use of force by the state during anti-corruption demonstrations in September. In contrast, the Deuba couple’s inquiry focuses on the origins of their assets.

A division bench of the Supreme Court has instructed the government to ensure that the judicial custody of Oli and Lekhak is not extended beyond Thursday and to carry out investigations only after their release.

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