Former Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has returned to Nepal after nearly six months abroad for medical treatment, despite an outstanding arrest warrant issued against him over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
According to AFP, Deuba arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Thursday, where he was greeted by a large crowd of supporters. He waved to well-wishers as he left the airport, while authorities deployed additional police personnel in and around the airport to maintain security.
Police spokesperson Abhi Narayan Kafle said providing security to the former prime minister was the responsibility of law enforcement. He added, however, that the investigation into the money laundering case against Deuba is being handled separately by Nepal’s Money Laundering Investigation Department.
An arrest warrant was issued against Deuba in April, following a broader anti-corruption drive launched after political changes brought Prime Minister Balendra Shah to power in the wake of the Gen-Z movement. The new administration has intensified legal action against several prominent political figures accused of corruption.
The five-time former prime minister had travelled abroad for medical treatment in February and has consistently denied all allegations against him. He is expected to attend his party’s three-day national convention, which begins on Friday.
Deuba’s wife and former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba is also the subject of a separate arrest warrant. Since the current government assumed office, several senior politicians have faced legal action over allegations of corruption and violence. Former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were among those briefly detained earlier.
Political analysts say the youth-led movement, which initially began as a protest against restrictions on social media, evolved into a nationwide campaign against corruption and economic hardship. During the unrest, protesters reportedly attacked and set fire to Deuba’s residence, while allegations surfaced that large sums of cash had been recovered from the property.
Deuba has rejected the accusations, describing them as politically motivated and telling the investigation commission that he was the victim of a conspiracy. The commission has recommended further investigation into the allegations.
Source: AFP.