Two more arrested in human trafficking case involving ex-minister Adhikari

Kathmandu, November 12 — Two more individuals have been arrested in connection with the human trafficking case involving former Minister of Internal Affairs and Law of Koshi Province, Lilaballav Adhikari.

According to SP Nabaraj Adhikari of the Kathmandu District Police Range, the two individuals were arrested for creating fake documents for people who were deported from Japan.

The arrested individuals are 41-year-old Nabin Rai and 32-year-old Guddi Rai, both from Khotang. With these two arrests, the total number of people detained in this case has now reached 9, including Minister Adhikari, who is currently in police custody.

Investigations revealed that Nabin Rai and Guddi Rai were involved in creating fake identification papers for the ward member of Aiselukharka Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 in Khotang and an "assistant" at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law in Koshi.

On October 30, the then Minister Adhikari, along with 36-year-old Dawa Sherpa from Khotang, 22-year-old Kanchan Devkota from Rasuwa, and 34-year-old Janak Rai from Khotang, flew to Japan on a Cathay Pacific flight. However, they were deported from Tokyo's airport by Japanese immigration authorities.

The four deported individuals, along with their brokers—34-year-old Mahesh Pandey from Dhading, 30-year-old Bir Bahadur Sunar from Dolakha, and 23-year-old Jugal Rijal from Nuwakot—were also arrested.

The accused are facing charges under the document forgery and Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2007, and the police are continuing their investigation with judicial custody.