As the interim government moves to freeze the passports of key political leaders amid investigations into corruption and money laundering, reports indicate that Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, are preparing to leave Nepal.
According to government security sources, the couple recently obtained new passports and secured visas for Thailand on Ashoj 3 (mid-September). Authorities have been instructed to remain alert, as the Deuba couple could travel abroad citing medical treatment or other reasons. Sources claim they are fully prepared for departure.
Meanwhile, the Department of Passports, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI), and the Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) are holding discussions on freezing their passports. Under Section 12 of the Passport Act 2019, passports can be suspended during corruption or money laundering investigations if requested by the concerned authority. The DMLI had earlier written to the Department of Passports after conducting a search at the Deuba residence, where cash was reportedly seized and a video of the incident went public, prompting an expanded investigation.
Earlier, on Bhadra 24 (early September), Deuba’s Budhanilkantha residence was attacked and set on fire. Following that incident, there were suspicions that their passports had been destroyed or lost, but the issuance of new passports now suggests concrete plans to leave the country.
The government is closely monitoring foreign travel by high-level political leaders and is expected to make a decision soon regarding the use of the Deuba couple’s new passports.
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