Nepal moves to freeze passports of top leaders, including Oli, Deuba, Dahal and Lekhak

KATHMANDU: The government has prepared to freeze the passports of several top leaders from major political parties, including outgoing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, amid growing pressure for accountability over the Gen Z uprising crackdown and ongoing corruption and money laundering probes.

According to high-level government sources, the Cabinet under Prime Minister Sushila Karki has initiated discussions to bar key political figures from traveling abroad as part of immediate legal measures. The move comes in response to increasing public demand to hold those involved in the violent suppression of Gen Z protests on September 8–9, 2025 (2082 Bhadra 23–24 BS) accountable.

“The strongest demand is to bring executive leaders responsible for the protest crackdown into legal jurisdiction. As the first step, passport freezes are being finalized, with further legal action expected to follow,” a senior Cabinet source confirmed.

Oli, Lekhak Named; Deuba Couple on Watchlist

The names of Oli and Lekhak have been specifically recommended for immediate action, while Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and his spouse Arzu Rana Deuba, maoist top leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal are said to be under review for inclusion on a watchlist.

Government insiders say the decision will extend to others depending on the outcomes of ongoing investigations into corruption, property laundering, and criminal complaints.

A special Probe Commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki has also begun consultations with the government to support the legal framework for freezing travel documents of those under investigation.

Money Laundering Probes Targeting Top Residences

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) has already raided the residences of Deuba, UML chair Oli, Maoist Center chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), and Congress leader Deepak Khadka, seizing evidence and documenting large volumes of charred cash reserves discovered in their fire-damaged homes.

During the Gen Z protests, demonstrators torched leaders’ residences, revealing hidden cash hoards—some in US dollars and high-value Nepali notes. Viral videos showed secret vaults and tunnels where money was allegedly stored, intensifying public outrage.

Both Deuba and Khadka have denied the allegations, claiming the so-called vaults were water tanks, while the DMLI has confirmed that formal seizure reports have been filed.

Legal Grounds for Passport Freeze

Under Nepal’s Passport Act 2076, authorities can suspend or revoke passports in cases of:

Corruption, money laundering, and property laundering investigations,

Organized crime, arms trade, or terrorism-related cases,

Pending criminal or judicial proceedings.

Officials confirmed that the government has already held detailed consultations with the Immigration and Passport Departments to review the technical process of suspension.

Although no passports have yet been frozen, officials stressed the move is in its final preparation stage, with a decision expected shortly.

Rising Pressure on Political Elites

The September Gen Z protests left 21 dead after police firing, when Oli was prime minister and Lekhak was home minister. Protesters and rights groups have since demanded that leaders directly responsible for the crackdown, as well as those tied to illicit wealth, face strict legal consequences.

The government is now balancing public anger, international scrutiny, and domestic law in deciding how far-reaching the passport freezes will go.