Controversial "Buddha Boy" Arrested: Nepal's Ram Bahadur Bomjan, revered for meditation feats, faces rape allegations. Arrested in Kathmandu after years on the run, and substantial cash seized. Ongoing investigations into assault accusations and missing devotees. Spiritual legacy tarnished.
Nepal police have taken into custody Ram Bahadur Bomjan, widely known as "Buddha Boy," on charges related to disappearances and rape within his ashrams.
The 33-year-old spiritual guru gained notoriety in his teenage years for his followers' claims that he could meditate without movement for extended periods, but accusations of physical and sexual assault have long surrounded him.
Facing multiple accusations, Bomjan had eluded authorities for several years. However, the law caught up with him as he was apprehended in Kathmandu based on a warrant for alleged rape at an ashram in Sarlahi.
During the arrest, police discovered substantial amounts of cash—30 million Nepali rupees ($225,000) and $22,500 in foreign currency—in Bomjan's possession.
Accusations of abuse and misconduct against Bomjan date back over a decade. Investigations are ongoing, including one related to the disappearance of four devotees from his ashram, with their whereabouts still unknown.
Once revered for reputed miracles and meditation prowess, Bomjan's legacy now faces a tarnished reputation due to the serious allegations and charges against him.
The guru's journey, marked by a mystical disappearance at the age of 16 and subsequent worship by tens of thousands, has taken a dark turn as legal troubles overshadow his once-celebrated spiritual practices.