In 1968, the then Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, played a significant role in releasing Koirala from prison, but he was the main actor for also making sure that Koirala stays out of the country in self-exile for the rest of his life. Koirala was in self-exile in Banaras, India until December 1977. After his return from almost a decade of self exile in Banaras, he was kept under house arrest in his Chabahil residence. During that time, King Birendra asked the then Prime Minister Dr Tulsi Giri, a tough political rival of Koirala to recommend him by the joint meeting of the Council of Ministers and Back to the Village National Campaign Central Committee, whether Koirala should be freed for medical treatment in the USA or not. Accordingly, the joint meeting recommended King Birendra to release Koirala and provide him with necessary expenses to undertake the medical treatment in the USA. The passport and necessary visa were arranged by the government of Nepal for Koirala and his wife Sushila Koirala, a doctor and an assistance. The then Royal Nepalese Embassy in the Washington DC, was instructed to provide all support to Koirala family for the medical treatment.