Nepal issues arrest warrant for ex-PM Deuba in graft probe

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

KATHMANDU: A court in Nepal has issued an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in connection with a high-profile corruption investigation. The warrant was issued following a probe by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the country’s top anti-graft body.

The investigation centers on allegations of financial irregularities and the misappropriation of government funds during Deuba's previous tenure in office. Specific charges reportedly involve the awarding of government contracts and the handling of state resources. Deuba, who has served as Prime Minister multiple times and is a prominent leader of the Nepali Congress party, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, with his supporters characterizing the probe as politically motivated.

The development has sparked a significant political reaction in Kathmandu, as the Nepali Congress and other opposition groups have voiced concerns over the timing and nature of the warrant. Legal experts suggest that the move could lead to a protracted legal battle and potentially impact the country's current political stability.

Security around the capital has been tightened in anticipation of possible demonstrations. The CIAA has indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further individuals may be questioned as part of the broader effort to address government corruption. Deuba’s legal team is expected to challenge the warrant in the Supreme Court.

Photo Credits: AFP