SC upholds decision to dismiss petition against ex-Koshi Minister Adhikari

Kathmandu, December 8 — The Supreme Court has upheld the decision to dismiss the petition against Lillaballabh Adhikari, the former Law Minister of Koshi Province, who was previously acquitted by the District Government Attorney's Office in a human trafficking case.

A bench of Justice Kumar Chudal ruled that the earlier decision by the administration to dismiss the case was legally sound. As per this decision, no further legal proceedings will take place against Adhikari in any court.

Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi had filed the petition in the Supreme Court challenging the decision not to pursue the case against Adhikari. On December 1, the Supreme Court's registrar Bhadrakali Pokharel had rejected the petition for registration, leading Tripathi to file a new petition.

Adhikari had been involved with a human trafficking group and had traveled to Japan. After returning, he was arrested, and an investigation was launched into his involvement.

The District Government Attorney’s Office had recently filed a case in the district court but decided not to pursue charges against him based on several reasons.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling, no further action will be taken on the petition, and the decision has effectively closed the case.

Tripathi criticized the decision, stating that it closed all doors for justice and went against past precedents.