Former Koshi Province Minister arrested in human trafficking scandal

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 10: Lilaballabh Adhikari, the former Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Koshi Province, has been arrested in connection with a human trafficking case. He is accused of travelling to Japan without obtaining approval from the Provincial Council of Ministers or the Federal Government and attempting to traffic three individuals during the visit.

Using his official position, Adhikari is alleged to have illegally taken 36-year-old Dawa Sherpa and Janak Rai, both from Khotang, as well as 22-year-old Kanchan Devkota from Rasuwa, to Japan. The case came to light when Japanese immigration authorities deported the group, leading to public exposure of the incident.

Upon returning to Nepal, Adhikari resigned from his post on moral grounds. The CPN-UML suspended him yesterday. Koshi Province DIG Chandrakuber Khapung reported that Adhikari was arrested at his residence in Biratnagar, with plans underway to transport him to Kathmandu.