Lilaballabh Adhikari, a provincial assembly member from the CPN-UML has been suspended from his party following allegations of involvement in a human trafficking case.

Adhikari, who was law and internal affairs minister in the Koshi provincial government, resigned from the ministerial position on Wednesday after he landed in controversy over his visit to Japan without permission or prior notification.

UML's Koshi Province chair Ghanashyam Khatiwada, issuing a statement on Saturday, said that Adhikari’s party membership has been suspended until the investigations reach a conclusion.

“In light of the seriousness of the human trafficking allegations, we urge the government and relevant authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. Until a conclusive resolution is reached, Adhikari is suspended from his role in all the party structures, including as a member of the National Convention Representative Council,” Khatiwada said.

The controversy emerged when Adhikari, along with three other individuals, was sent back from Tokyo after being flagged by Japanese immigration due to suspicious documentation. Adhikari, who reportedly bypassed required travel protocols, subsequently resigned from his ministerial post amidst mounting ethical concerns.

Nepal Police’s initial findings show that those who allegedly forged passports and went to Japan with Adhikari had paid Rs1 million each to attend an event in Tokyo.

Adhikari departed for Japan on October 29 without informing the authorities concerned to attend an event organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan.

The other three individuals who accompanied him were detained for investigation by the police, but Adhikari avoided arrest by presenting his ministerial identification. As of Saturday, he has not been apprehended.

Adhikari, a lawyer by profession, represents Morang Constituency 2 (B) and has served multiple terms in the provincial assembly.

Organising a press meet immediately after tendering resignation from the ministerial position, he claimed that he wasn’t involved in any illegal activity.

In the meantime, the meeting of the UML Secretariat held in Kathmandu on Saturday endorsed the province committee’s action against Adhikari and also urged the government to conduct a fact-based and thorough investigation into the case.