Nepal ex-PM Deuba returns months after Gen-Z protest attack

Former Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba returned to Kathmandu on Thursday after spending nearly six months abroad for medical treatment following injuries he suffered during the violent Gen-Z protests last year. The 80-year-old former Nepali Congress president received a grand welcome from supporters at Tribhuvan International Airport, marking his return at a politically sensitive time for both him and his party. Deuba had left Nepal for Singapore on February 26, ahead of the March 5 general election, citing medical treatment. His prolonged absence came after he and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, were assaulted when protesters stormed their residence during the September 2025 uprising.

Attacked during protests

Deuba and his wife were seriously injured on September 9, 2025, when a mob entered their residence amid widespread anti-government protests led largely by young Nepalese. The demonstrations, which became known as the Gen-Z protests, had erupted amid anger over corruption, governance and a government ban on major social media platforms. The unrest eventually developed into a wider political crisis.

Several political leaders and government buildings were targeted during the violence. Deuba's residence was attacked and set on fire, while videos showing the assault on the former prime minister and his wife circulated widely. The couple subsequently remained outside Nepal for medical treatment. They were reported to have spent time in Singapore and were later spotted in Hong Kong, although they did not publicly provide detailed information about their treatment or movements.

Grand welcome in Kathmandu

Deuba returned alone on Thursday, while his wife and son, Jaybir Singh Deuba, remained abroad. A faction of the Nepali Congress organised a large reception for the veteran leader, with supporters gathering to welcome him with traditional music and cultural performances. Senior Nepali Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat had said ahead of Deuba's arrival that his presence was needed at a difficult time for the party and could help improve its political situation. His return comes just ahead of a three-day national gathering of the Nepali Congress' non-establishment faction in Kathmandu from August 14 to 16. Around 5,000 party leaders and workers are expected to attend, and Deuba is scheduled to address the gathering on Friday.

Congress leadership battle

Deuba's homecoming comes amid a bitter internal battle over control of the Nepali Congress. Gagan Thapa had ousted Deuba through a special general convention, and the dispute subsequently reached the Supreme Court. On April 17, the court recognised the Thapa faction as the official Nepali Congress. However, the legal battle has been revived. In the first week of August, the Supreme Court allowed a review petition, sending the dispute back for a fresh hearing before a three-judge bench. The eventual ruling could determine which faction receives official recognition. Deuba's return and his participation in the national gathering are therefore expected to have significant implications for the party's internal power struggle.

Money-laundering probe

The former prime minister also returns amid an investigation into alleged money laundering involving his family. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation began its probe last year and subsequently froze movable and immovable assets registered in the names of Deuba, his wife, their son and some relatives.

The government headed by Prime Minister Balendra Shah had also issued arrest warrants against Deuba and his wife at the request of the investigating agency. Deuba denied allegations of corruption, maintaining that he and his family had submitted accurate details of their assets to the relevant authorities while he held public office. The Nepal government also sought an Interpol Red Notice against him, but the request was declined. The Supreme Court later annulled the arrest warrant against Deuba on May 25.

Return carries political weight

Deuba, a five-time former prime minister and one of Nepal's most prominent political figures, now returns to a markedly different political landscape from the one he left in February. Apart from the money-laundering investigation, he faces a struggle over the leadership and official identity of the Nepali Congress. His supporters are seeking to use his return to consolidate the faction opposed to the current party establishment, making his appearance at Friday's gathering particularly significant.

The enthusiastic reception in Kathmandu signals that Deuba continues to command considerable support within sections of the Nepali Congress despite the legal and political challenges surrounding him.