Writ filed in SC against immunity for ex-minister Adhikari in human trafficking case

Biratnagar, November 29 — A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court against the decision of the Kathmandu District Attorney's Office to grant immunity to former Minister of Koshi Province and Provincial Assembly member from UML, Lilaballav Adhikari, in a human trafficking case.

Senior lawyer Dinesh Tripathi filed the writ petition at the Supreme Court, arguing that the decision to drop the charges against Adhikari should be annulled, and that further investigation should be conducted to file charges against him.

The petition claims that the decision made by the Kathmandu District Attorney's Office, which dismissed the case against Adhikari, was made with malicious intent and should be immediately revoked.

According to the petition, Adhikari, along with three others, attempted to travel to Japan using forged documents without government approval on October 27. After they were deported by immigration authorities at Japan’s Narita Airport, Adhikari and eight others were arrested in connection with the case.

Adhikari had traveled to Japan under the pretext of attending an event organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Art Council of Tokyo.

During the investigation, the police recommended that charges of human trafficking, forgery, and fraud should be filed against him. However, under pressure from the government and the Attorney General's Office, the District Attorney's Office in Kathmandu decided to clear Adhikari of the charges and only pursue cases against 11 others. As a result, Adhikari has already been released from custody.

Tripathi, in his petition, claims that the decision to drop charges against Adhikari, despite evidence gathered during the investigation, is blatantly biased and arbitrary. He has requested the Supreme Court to annul the decision and issue an order for the authorities to immediately arrest Adhikari and proceed with effective prosecution.