Former state minister Adhikari arrested on human trafficking charges

Nepal Police on Sunday arrested Koshi State’s former minister for home and law Lilaballabh Adhikari from Biratnagar. Adhikari, who was accused of human trafficking, was arrested after obtaining permission from the court.

According to information received from Ministry of Internal Affairs sources, Adhikari will be brought to Kathmandu by plane in a short time.

Saturday party CPN-UML suspended Adhikari was removed from party responsibilities following allegations of his involvement in a human trafficking case.

The controversy arose when Adhikari, along with three others, was sent back from Tokyo after being flagged by Japanese immigration for suspicious documents. Adhikari, who reportedly bypassed required travel protocols, later resigned from his post as minister amid growing ethical concerns.

First findings of Nepal Police to show It was revealed that each of those who allegedly produced fake passports and went to Japan with Adhikari paid more than Rs 1 million to attend an event in Tokyo.

adhikari left Japan was given permission to attend an event organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Municipality on October 29 without notifying the relevant authorities.

Three others accompanying him were detained by the police for investigation, but Adhikari escaped arrest by showing his minister ID.

A lawyer by profession, Adhikari represents Morang Constituency 2(b) and has served multiple terms in the state assembly.

Immediately after issuing his resignation from his ministerial position, he held a press conference, claiming that he was not involved in any illegal activity.