Lila Ballabh Adhikari
Minister’s Japan Trip Leads to Resignation After Discovery of Fake Officials
ITAHARI: Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Koshi Province Government, Lila Ballabh Adhikari, departed for Japan on October 27. However, he was shocked by what he discovered upon reaching Hong Kong.
Adhikari, who was traveling alone to attend a program in Tokyo scheduled for October 29-November 3, with all expenses covered by the organizers, was taken aback when three “fake officials” joined him in Hong Kong.
According to Adhikari, three individuals – Janak Rai from Khotang, and Dawa Sherpa and Kanchan Devkota from Rasuwa – approached him in Hong Kong claiming to be part of his delegation. All three possessed what appeared to be staff ID cards from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, Koshi Province.
The minister was startled to find these individuals carrying fraudulent documents joining his delegation. “I then returned back to Npeal with these three,” Adhikari said at a press meet organized at the ministry on Wednesday.
Adhikari tendered his resignation on Wednesday following controversy over his unauthorized Japan trip, as he had not obtained the required approval from the federal cabinet. Ministers are required to obtain approval from the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when traveling abroad. The request for foreign travel approval must be submitted to the foreign ministry along with the provincial cabinet’s decision.
“I was shocked when these three people appeared. I tried to return from Hong Kong itself, but couldn’t due to transit requirements. I had to reach Tokyo,” Adhikari said after tendering his resignation to Chief Minister Hikmat Karki. “I didn’t attend the program fearing that the three would disappear in Japan.”
Adhikari said he had handed the three to Nepal Police. He claimed that he didn’t know how the three managed to get his ministry’s ID cards. “I have informed the Inspector General of Nepal Police and other senior officials about the incident for needful investigation,” he added.
A source at the Nepal Police source confirmed that the three individuals are in custody for investigation. investigation.
Adhikari claimed that he chose to step down on moral grounds and that there was no pressure from any individual whatsoever.
The incident has led to accusations of human trafficking against Adhikari who had become minister from the CPN-UML party on May 17. He is an elected provincial assembly member from the Morang-2 (B) seat of Koshi Province Assembly.
