International
Interpol Denies Issuing Red Notice Against Deuba Couple Amid Money Laundering Probe
By Ranjeet Yadav • 5/6/2026, 1:22:33 PM
Reading time: 3 min
6 May Kathmandu Interpol has told Nepali authorities that it has not issued a red notice against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who are being investigated in a money laundering case.
Interpol is said to have questioned whether the legal threshold had been correctly met for the red notice to be issued and requested more details on the investigation and charges against the pair.
⚖️ What Interpol Stated
Officials familiar with the matter said that Interpol was worried that:
- The alleged offence not been sufficiently established
- The money laundering investigation seemed to have gone through at an unusually fast pace
- Needed more detail on the specific charges and the legal process underway
Apparently, Interpol requested the Nepal government to send more documents and information from Nepal’s National Central Bureau before any further action is taken.
Case Background (Oct 2023)
The move comes after the Kathmandu District Court on April 7 issued arrest warrants against the Deuba couple at the request of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.
Nepali authorities had then begun the process of requesting international assistance through Interpol after discovering the couple was overseas.
The pair are reported to have been living out of Nepal for weeks as the investigation continues.
🌍 What is a Red Notice?
A Red Notice is a request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, issued by Interpol at the request of a member country. But it is not an international arrest warrant per se.
“The issuing of such notices is a legal and procedural matter and Interpol reviews requests very carefully to ensure that they meet these standards.”
📊 Political & Legal Impact
The case has become one of the most politically sensitive investigations in Nepal in recent years as it involves a former prime minister and senior political leaders.
Supporters of the investigation say:
- High profile figures should also be faced with legal scrutiny
- Institutions against corruption should be independent
But critics caution that in the meantime:
- The legal process must be transparent
- Investigations must not be politicized
📌 Abstract
Interpol’s response does not reject the case against the Deuba couple, but means the international body needs more legal and procedural basis to issue a red notice.
As the investigation continues, Nepal’s authorities are likely to keep the case under close political and public scrutiny.
Tags: Sher Bahadur Deuba, Interpol Nepal, Money Laundering Case Nepal, Nepal Politics
🌐 https://hamrobichar.com/
📧 info@hamrobichar.com