KATHMANDU: A human trafficking scandal has erupted in Koshi Province after it was revealed that individuals who accompanied former Internal Affairs and Law Minister Lila Balav Adhikari to Japan paid large sums of money to secure the trip.
In statements to officials at the District Police Range, Kathmandu, the arrested individuals disclosed that they had each paid between Rs 1 and 1.3 million rupees to join the ministerial visit.
Following intense scrutiny, Adhikari resigned from his post on Wednesday. The District Police Range is now investigating six individuals, including three who traveled with the minister and three others allegedly involved in forging official documents.
Japan’s Immigration Department recently deported Dawa Sherpa, Janak Rai, and Kanchan Devkota from Khotang, who accompanied the minister on the trip.
Two of them carried ID cards from Koshi Province’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, while another had a local ward member ID.
Upon receiving notice from Japanese authorities, Nepali police detained the three at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Division Office, with charges of human trafficking now under investigation.
Further arrests were made based on these statements, including Jugal Rijal, Bir Bahadur Sunuwar, and Mahesh Pandey, who are suspected of aiding in the production of fake ID cards.
Police say that Pandey’s role appears particularly significant, as he allegedly received payments directly from the individuals seeking to travel.
Despite the unfolding scandal, the former minister himself has not yet been officially investigated. However, police have signaled plans to pursue a human trafficking angle in the case.
In response to the revelations, Koshi’s main opposition party, the CPN-Maoist Center, likened the incident to the recent fake Bhutanese refugee scandal, alleging that high-level political figures were involved in organized human trafficking operations.
CPN-Maoist Center’s Chief Whip Geeta Timsina criticized the government’s silence and questioned why officials have not been held accountable, despite claims of criminal involvement.
“It’s shocking that a week has passed without any action or statement from the provincial government,” Timilsina said, condemning what she called a shameful incident.
Timsina and other Maoist leaders have demanded a full investigation into the case, stressing that the use of fake identities and manipulation of government privileges indicate serious misconduct.
They warned that the scandal reflects broader issues within the coalition government led by Congress-UML, accusing it of safeguarding corrupt practices and shielding powerful figures connected to criminal networks.
The Maoists’ statement stated that Adhikari’s trip allegedly bypassed necessary federal approvals and even ignored a direct flight to Japan, opting instead for a Hong Kong transit, suggesting deliberate negligence and alleged collusion with human traffickers.
They emphasized the need for transparency to restore public trust amid growing concerns of political collusion in organized trafficking schemes.
