KATHMANDU: Former Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba is set to return to Nepal on August 13, months after leaving the country following the Gen-Z protests and amid ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities.
Nepali Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat said Deuba will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport at around noon on August 13. His wife, former foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and their son Jaiveer are not confirmed to be returning with him.
Deuba’s return has already triggered preparations for a major show of strength by his supporters, particularly leaders from the NC establishment faction opposed to current party president Gagan Thapa.
Deuba is also scheduled to address a national gathering organised by the establishment faction from August 14 to 16.
NC leader Min Bishwakarma confirmed Deuba’s return. “Deuba is returning to Nepal,” Bishwakarma said.
The former prime minister’s return has, however, raised another question: could he be arrested?
Arrest fears follow investigations
The Department of Money Laundering Investigation and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police have been investigating matters involving Deuba and his family.
The investigations have fuelled speculation that legal proceedings could move forward after Deuba returns to Nepal.
However, the government has not officially confirmed that Deuba will be arrested upon his arrival.
Sources close to Home Minister Sudan Gurung said it would be premature to comment on an ongoing investigation.
They said no Interpol Red Notice has been issued against Deuba and that the matter remains subject to the ongoing legal process.
According to sources, Nepal Police had previously attempted to initiate a Red Notice process while Deuba was in Hong Kong. Interpol, however, did not act on Nepal’s request, citing the absence of a final court conviction in a serious criminal case.
A government source said Deuba remains legally protected for now, although an arrest could be considered if investigators establish sufficient grounds during the investigation.
Nepal Police had also been asked about the possibility of Deuba’s arrest after his return during a press conference on August 7.
Deputy Inspector General Abina Narayan Kafle had responded, “We are looking into it. There are still a few days left.”
Why did Deuba stay abroad?
Deuba left Nepal amid the political upheaval that followed the Gen-Z protests. He had travelled to Singapore for medical treatment before moving to Hong Kong, where he remained for several months.
His prolonged stay abroad led to speculation that he might not return amid investigations by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation and the CIB.
Deuba, however, had said in a statement issued on the occasion of BP Memorial Day that he intended to return to Nepal.
In the statement, he expressed confidence in Nepal’s democratic consciousness, patriotism and people’s faith in justice.
He also accused the government led by Balendra Shah of attempting to intimidate the opposition through the retaliatory use of state power and said he was prepared to face such actions.
Deuba had left the country ahead of the March 5 election. He travelled to Singapore on February 26 for treatment and later moved to Hong Kong.
Arrest warrant claims
Claims have also emerged that an arrest warrant was issued against Deuba and his wife while they were abroad.
The claims are linked to an investigation following the Gen-Z protests, when Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha was attacked and set on fire.
There were also claims that a large amount of cash was recovered from the residence.
Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli had claimed that photographs and videos purportedly showing money at Deuba’s residence were generated using artificial intelligence. NC leaders have not provided a definitive explanation regarding the claims.
The Department of Money Laundering Investigation and the CIB are investigating the matter.
The Supreme Court had previously issued an interim order preventing the immediate implementation of the arrest warrant, although the investigation itself has continued.
‘Arrest without evidence would be childish’
NC leaders have rejected speculation that Deuba could be arrested without sufficient evidence.
Mahat said he had no information about any plan to arrest Deuba and warned that the NC would oppose any politically motivated action.
“Where would he be arrested from? There must be appropriate evidence to arrest someone. If the government seeks revenge, we will resist it,” Mahat said.
He said authorities could have other grounds for investigation but stressed that an arrest without sufficient evidence would be inappropriate.
“There can be other grounds for investigation. Arresting someone without appropriate evidence and grounds would be childish,” Mahat said.
Meanwhile, Nirmal Dhakal, director general of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, declined to comment on the case.
“We cannot comment on an investigation. How can we respond to such a sensitive matter?” he said.
Deuba expected to cooperate with investigation
Some NC leaders close to Deuba claim that the former prime minister is prepared to cooperate with the legal process after returning to Nepal.
According to those leaders, Deuba is expected to attend the establishment faction’s national gathering on August 29 and could subsequently make himself available to investigators.
The claim comes amid a wider investigation involving members of Deuba’s family and associates.
A notice was also published in the Gorkhapatra on July 7 asking Deuba’s son Jaiveer to appear for questioning within seven days.
Other individuals linked to the Deuba family, including his personal secretary Bhanu Deuba and Ganga Dahal, daughter of former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s personal secretary, have also been linked to money laundering investigations.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed detailed findings or the legal status of those investigations.
Deuba returns to a divided NC
Deuba’s return is politically significant for another reason.
The former NC president has been largely sidelined from the party since Gagan Thapa became president through a special general convention.
The leadership dispute has deepened after Deuba’s faction refused to recognise Thapa as the legitimate party president.
The dispute intensified after the Supreme Court allowed the NC-related case to proceed through a review process, giving fresh encouragement to the Deuba faction.
Deuba is expected to use his August 29 address to discuss the political situation, the NC crisis, the upcoming general convention and the future direction of the party.
His return will also mark his first major public political appearance in Nepal since the Gen-Z protests and the political changes that followed.
Bishwakarma said Deuba would speak about the country, the government and the NC.
“He will address the gathering. He will speak about the country’s current situation, government activities and the party’s activities,” Bishwakarma said.
Deuba still refuses to recognise Gagan
The leadership dispute between Deuba and Thapa remains at the heart of the NC crisis.
Thapa became party president after securing the support of more than 54 percent of general convention representatives for a special general convention.
The Deuba faction has continued to challenge the legitimacy of Thapa’s leadership.
The latest indication came from a letter sent by NC leader Shashank Koirala to the party office and Election Commission, in which Thapa was referred to as the “then general secretary” rather than the party president.
Deuba’s supporters are expected to discuss the party’s organisational situation, the upcoming general convention and the leadership dispute during their gathering.
They have maintained that they do not favour splitting the NC, arguing instead that the Thapa faction should show flexibility to preserve party unity.
Former general secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula has also called for the party to remain united.
“He is not in favour of division. He wants to take the NC forward by keeping it united. But the other side also needs to be flexible,” Sitaula said.
He argued that senior leaders should be treated with respect and accused the Thapa faction of pushing the party towards division.
Power show in Shashank’s leadership
The national gathering being organised under Shashank Koirala is expected to draw more than 10,000 supporters and well-wishers, according to organisers.
With Deuba scheduled to attend, the gathering is widely being viewed as a show of strength by the faction opposed to Thapa.
Deuba’s supporters, however, insist that the gathering is not intended to split the party but to push for its unity.
The political stakes are high.
The NC under Thapa failed to achieve the expected result in the subsequent House of Representatives election, with the party winning fewer than 40 seats.
Against this backdrop, Deuba’s first major public address since returning to Nepal could influence the future power balance within the party.
For now, it remains unclear whether Deuba will face immediate legal action after landing in Kathmandu or whether investigators will first seek his cooperation.
What is certain is that his return will put both the government’s investigation and the NC leadership dispute under renewed scrutiny.
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