Behind bars, ex-minister Adhikari dines on milk and simple meals, rejects meat

Kathmandu, November 11 — Lilaballav Adhikari, the former Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Koshi province, has been in custody at the Kathmandu District Police Office since Sunday. He is accused of human trafficking to Japan by creating fake documents. He himself was deported from Tokyo Airport and returned to Kathmandu.

Six others arrested in connection with the Japan case, along with Adhikari, have been kept separately. Adhikari has been placed in the "VIP room" of the District Police Office in Bhadrakali, Kathmandu, according to an officer involved in the investigation. To converse with Adhikari, a few suspects arrested in a banking fraud case, 3-4 of them, have been kept with him. Adhikari spends time chatting with these banking fraud detainees.

After a two-day remand was granted by the District Court of Kathmandu on Sunday, Adhikari had plain food and milk in the evening. Speaking to the detainees, he said, "I can't digest meat, I prefer simple food."

The next morning, after breakfast and an afternoon snack, he again drank milk. After eating some fruits in the afternoon, he had more milk. One officer stated that the former minister had requested plain food and milk to be provided to him.

The police are investigating Adhikari under the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2007. If the charges are proven, he could face a prison sentence ranging from 7 to 10 years.