UML suspends Koshi Province Assembly member Adhikari

KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML has suspended its Koshi Province lawmaker Lilaballav Adhikari from the party following serious human trafficking allegations.

According to UML’s Koshi Province Chairperson Ghanshyam Khatiwada, Adhikari has been suspended from all party positions pending a final resolution of the human trafficking charges leveled against him. “Lilaballav Adhikari has been suspended from the party’s general membership until the final resolution of the allegations against him,” Khatiwada stated in a notice issued on Saturday.

Adhikari, who was elected from the Morang-2(B) constituency, has been accused of attempting to take three individuals to Japan as his ministry staff members during his tenure as Minister for Internal Affairs and Law in the Koshi Province government. He reportedly left for Japan without informing Chief Minister Hikmat Karki and without seeking approval from the federal cabinet.

Adhikari resigned as provincial minister earlier this week.