Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Koshi Province’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Law, Leelaballav Adhikari, has resigned after Japanese immigration authorities detained him and four others on human trafficking suspicions, only to deport them back to Nepal. Adhikari’s trip to Tokyo, reportedly without provincial or federal government approval, has raised significant concerns over alleged misuse of office and unauthorized travel practices.
Adhikari departed for Japan on October 29, 2024, to attend the “Culture at Home” event organized by the Tokyo Art Council. However, he traveled with four unrelated individuals—Anita Timilsina, Janak Rai, Dawa Sherpa, and Kanchan Devkota—who, according to sources, had no official ties to the ministry. Japan’s immigration held the group at Tokyo’s airport for 48 hours due to questionable documentation before deporting them.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport on November 1, Adhikari and Timilsina were released after brief questioning, while the other three were handed over to police for further investigation. Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office subsequently detained three more individuals connected to the case on charges related to forged documentation, according to SSP Basanta Ranjoure, who noted that additional charges may be filed if new offenses emerge.
After the deportation, Adhikari met with Chief Minister Hikmat Karki and reportedly claimed that he had initially traveled alone. He stated that the others approached him during a layover in Hong Kong, where they claimed to be part of his delegation. However, his explanation did little to quell the controversy. Chief Minister Karki requested his resignation, which Adhikari submitted on Wednesday.
In response to the allegations, Adhikari stated that he was misled and exploited by human traffickers and was unaware of their intentions until the deportation. The travel arrangements, including his flight ticket, were reportedly managed by Gopal Gautam, a resident of Morang district, raising questions about the involvement of external parties.
The scandal has cast a spotlight on potential lapses in provincial oversight, as ministers are required to obtain clearance from the federal cabinet for international travel. The Koshi Province government has publicly stated that it was not notified of Adhikari’s trip, adding further concern to the case.
Adhikari, a two-term UML member of parliament from Morang and a law practitioner, has now stepped down amidst growing scrutiny. The investigation into possible human trafficking links remains ongoing, with police set to assess the role of all involved parties.
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