KATHMANDU: Department of Money Laundering Investigation has issued a formal summons to Jayabir Singh Deuba, the son of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, requiring him to appear before investigators in connection with a money laundering probe.

According to a public notice issued on Monday, the department has directed Jaybir Deuba to appear within seven days of the publication of the notice, excluding travel time, for questioning as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering offence.

The notice states that his presence is required to clarify matters related to the investigation and warns that legal action will be taken in accordance with the law if he fails to appear within the stipulated period.

The summons was posted at the Deuba family’s residence in Budhanilkantha on Monday. On Tuesday, the department also published the notice in the state-owned daily Gorkhapatra.

The department had previously attempted to seek an Interpol Red Notice to secure the return of the Deuba couple to Nepal for questioning as part of the investigation. However, Interpol did not approve the request.

Separately, Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had earlier served a notice at the residence of former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba in connection with its investigation into the passport procurement case, directing her to appear within three days. In response, Rana informed the commission via email that she was currently abroad receiving medical treatment and was therefore unable to appear immediately.