KATHMANDU: A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court against the government’s decision not to prosecute CPN-UML leader and former Koshi Province Minister Lilaballav Adhikari, who was accused of human trafficking.
Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi filed the petition, which was initially rejected by the Supreme Court administration. However, following a bench order, the case has been registered and is scheduled for a hearing on Sunday.
Adhikari, a former minister of Koshi Province, was implicated in an incident involving unauthorized individuals traveling to Japan using government identification.
The controversy emerged when three individuals accompanying Adhikari used identification cards issued by the Koshi Province Law Ministry to attend a program in Japan.
Japan’s immigration authorities deported Adhikari and three others involved.
Amid widespread criticism, Adhikari resigned from his ministerial post, and the UML party subsequently suspended him.
Despite these developments, the Kathmandu District Attorney’s Office decided not to pursue charges against Adhikari following his arrest on Kartik 25.
However, charges were filed against 11 others in connection with the case, resulting in three individuals being sent to prison while Adhikari was granted immunity.
The Supreme Court will now review the petition challenging this immunity.
