Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Karki appointed provincial assembly member Rewati Raman Bhandari, a CPN-UML lawmaker in the provincial assembly, to the post of minister for internal affairs and law of the province on Monday.

This appointment follows the resignation of former minister for internal affairs, Lilaballav Adhikari after being accused in a human trafficking case.

Adhikari, along with three other young men, was deported from Japan on October 30 for attempting to enter the country using falsified documents. While the three men were detained at Tribhuvan International Airport, Adhikari initially evaded investigation using his ministerial identification.

The former minister had travelled under the pretext of attending a cultural programme in Tokyo but was accused of colluding with a trafficking ring to exploit the event. Although police detained Adhikari on November 10 and recommended charges, the Kathmandu District Attorney's Office later dismissed the case.

Speaking about his new role, newly appointed Minister Bhandari stated that he is committed to completing pending legislation in the province, creating necessary regulations for implementation, and facilitating new laws through the Provincial Assembly if needed.

According to chief minister Karki’s secretariat, Bhandari will also oversee the Ministry of Transport.

A lawyer-turned politician Bhandari had earlier served as federal lawmaker.