Lilaballav Adhikari, who resigned last week as minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Koshi Province following allegations of human trafficking, was arrested on Sunday in Biratnagar. He was subsequently brought to Kathmandu for investigation. The court approved his arrest on Sunday, and he was escorted to Biratnagar Airport by police.

Adhikari, a UML lawmaker, is at the center of controversy for his alleged involvement in a human trafficking ring that arranged fake identification documents for three youths attempting to enter Japan. The group, including Adhikari, was deported by Japanese immigration authorities on October 30. While the youths were detained upon their return to Nepal at Tribhuvan International Airport, Adhikari reportedly evaded investigation by using his ministerial identification.

Adhikari and three others had traveled to Japan under the pretext of attending a function organized by the Arts Council Tokyo in the Japanese capital from October 29 to November 3. It is alleged that Adhikari led the group with plans to exploit the event for human trafficking purposes. Following the accusations, he resigned from his ministerial post upon his return and was suspended by his party.

While Japanese immigration authorities turned the group away due to suspicious documents, criticism arose after Adhikari avoided immediate investigation. Evidence, including fake identification papers used by his associates, has since been seized by authorities, with Adhikari’s signature purportedly forged on some documents.

Adhikari has admitted to travelling under the influence of a trafficking network, claiming he was unaware of the criminal nature of the arrangement until he reached Hong Kong. However, officials suspect he only reported the issue to Nepali authorities after Japanese immigration barred him from entering the country. The ongoing investigation by the Kathmandu District Police has also led to the arrest of other suspects involved in the network.

Adhikari had proceeded with the trip despite warnings from Koshi Province’s Chief Minister Hikmat Karki against the unauthorised international travel.