Interpol has informed Nepali authorities that it cannot issue a red notice against former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his spouse, former foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who are under investigation in a money laundering probe.

Officials said Interpol also questioned the request, noting that the alleged offence linked to the Deuba couple does not appear established and noted that the money laundering probe appears to have been initiated in a single step. It said the legal threshold for issuing a red notice has not been met and sought details on the specific charges and the current stage of the investigation.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation had sought a red notice through Nepal Police after the Kathmandu District Court issued arrest warrants against the couple on April 7, 2026.

The department had forwarded details of the warrants and ongoing investigation to initiate the Interpol process.

A police headquarters source confirmed that the request for a red notice has been returned without approval.

Following the arrest warrants, the couple are placed on a fugitive list.

The whereabouts of the Deuba couple have not been officially confirmed as of present. However, there have been reports suggesting they may be in Hong Kong, though neither the government nor their family has issued any formal statement on their location.

The developments come after the couple were injured during the Gen Z protests on September 9, when their residence came under attack. They were evacuated with the help of the Nepali Army and taken to hospital for treatment.

During the protests, a video was circulated online allegedly showing large amounts of cash at the couple’s Budhanilkantha residence. Later, Sher Bahadur denied the claim, saying the footage was an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated fabrication.

Shortly after, they travelled to Singapore for medical reasons. Following their return, just ahead of the March 5 parliamentary elections, Deuba again travelled to Singapore via Tribhuvan International Airport, while Arzu Rana Deuba is reported to have travelled via India before joining him.

Authorities later brought the couple under the scope of a money laundering investigation while they were outside the country. Several relatives who have come under investigative scrutiny are also outside Nepal. Deuba’s son is reported to be abroad. His nephew, a provincial assembly member, is said to have travelled to India and then the United States. Rana’s brother is also reported to be overseas.