Kathmandu, 16 Oct: The government appears unlikely to block Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba from traveling abroad for medical treatment or personal reasons. Despite earlier discussions about imposing a travel ban amid ongoing investigations into money found burned at his residence during the recent Gen-Z Movement, officials now say there is insufficient evidence to justify such a restriction.
Government Backs Away from Earlier Travel Ban Plans
Following the violent Gen-Z Movement protests on August 23 and 24, the interim government led by Sushila Karki had initially considered preventing Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, from leaving the country. Authorities had begun internal preparations to impose restrictions after reports that a large sum of cash was found partially burned at Deuba’s Budhanilkantha residence.
However, ministers now say no government agency has recommended a ban. “State institutions have not issued any directive to restrict his travel. Given the current circumstances, there isn’t a valid reason to stop him,” one cabinet member told Onlinekhabar.
In contrast, the government previously barred five senior figures — including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and other top officials — from leaving the country based on recommendations from a high-level probe committee led by former Special Court Chair Gauri Bahadur Karki. The committee had advised that those individuals must seek permission even to leave the Kathmandu Valley.
In Deuba’s case, however, no such recommendation has been made. Officials argue that since Deuba was not holding any executive position during the protests, and given his age and health condition, blocking his foreign trip would be unjustified.
Ongoing Investigation into Money Laundering Allegations
The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) has confirmed that its inquiry into Deuba and his wife remains active. On October 2, a DMLI team led by SP Navaraj Poudel visited Deuba’s Budhanilkantha residence, as well as the home of Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka, to document evidence.
Officials said the couple’s house was set on fire by protesters, and investigators discovered charred fragments of Nepali and U.S. currency inside. Although the presence of burnt cash has been confirmed, the total amount remains undetermined, making the investigation “highly complex,” according to a department source.
Meanwhile, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) also raided the residence of Deuba’s brother-in-law Bhushan Rana in Jawalakhel on October 13, suspecting key documents might be hidden there. While some papers were recovered, CIB officials said none offered conclusive evidence. A second raid was conducted the same day at the residence of Rana’s parents, but Bhushan was not present during the operation.
So far, neither the CIB nor the DMLI has advised the government to impose a travel ban on Deuba or his wife.
Health Grounds and Past Travel Patterns
Deuba and his spouse have frequently traveled abroad for medical treatment. According to immigration sources, no official notice has been issued to restrict their departure. “We have not received any instruction to prevent the Deuba couple from leaving the country,” an immigration official confirmed.
The couple recently renewed their passports on September 19, which sparked speculation that they were preparing to travel immediately. However, they have not yet left the country. Deuba was last seen in public 34 days after the Gen-Z Movement incidents, during which protesters attacked his home and physically assaulted the couple. They were later rescued and treated by the Nepali Army.
Officials say that, given the lack of formal recommendations and the ongoing but inconclusive investigations, there are currently no legal or procedural grounds to stop Deuba and his wife from traveling abroad.
