SC rejects petition against dismissal of case involving Former Koshi Province Minister Lila Ballav Adhikari

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has rejected a writ petition challenging the decision not to prosecute former Minister of Koshi Province and CPN-UML Provincial Assembly Member Lila Ballav Adhikari. The petition, filed by senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi, was dismissed on Sunday.

The court stated that the writ could not be registered under its extraordinary jurisdiction, as the investigation so far had not found substantial evidence linking Adhikari to the alleged crime.

“Further action will be taken as per the law if additional evidence emerges,” the court’s ruling read, referencing provisions under Section 128 of the Civil Procedure Code, 2017, and Rule 18 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2017.

Adhikari had traveled to Japan without government permission in late October, allegedly using forged government documents to facilitate the travel of three individuals.

After being deported by Japanese authorities, he was arrested on November 11 from his residence in Biratnagar.

However, under apparent government pressure, the District Government Attorney’s Office decided not to pursue the case against him.

The Supreme Court petition sought to overturn this decision.