Kathmandu, June 26 -- Nepal's authorities have frozen the passport of businessman Ajeya Raj Sumargi after launching a fresh investigation into alleged money laundering and the origins of billions of rupees transferred into the country through offshore companies.

According to sources, the Department of Immigration suspended Sumargi's passport on Tuesday following the request by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DoMLI).

The move comes as investigators revisit long-standing allegations regarding the legality of Sumargi's wealth. The DoMLI had previously investigated complaints against him and concluded that there were grounds to question the legitimacy of some of his assets, but the case did not advance further at the time....