Mumbai, June 25: In a significant legal verdict, Ram Bahadur Bomjon, known widely as "Buddha Boy" and revered by some as the "reincarnation of Buddha", has been convicted of child sexual abuse by a court in Nepal. The ruling was delivered on Monday, June 24, by the Sarlahi District Court, which found Bamjan guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl. This comes after the Buddha Boy's arrest in January this year on charges related to sexual assault and suspicion of involvement in the disappearance of several of his devotees.

The court's decision on Monday found Bomjon guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl, with sentencing scheduled for July 1. Despite the potential for a sentence of up to 12 years in prison, Bomjon has the option to appeal the verdict, as reported by the Independent. Bomjon's arrest earlier this year was dramatic, occurring at a residence in Kathmandu where he attempted to evade capture by jumping from a second-story window. Nepal: Spiritual Leader 'Buddha Boy' Arrested on Charges of Rape, Kidnapping.

Buddha Boy's Arrest and Allegations

Authorities arrested Bomjon in January from a hideout near Kathmandu, where he had been evading arrest amid ongoing investigations into his alleged misconduct. At the time of his arrest, he attempted to evade capture by jumping from a second-story window. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, after his arrest, police confiscated a substantial amount of cash in Nepalese and foreign currencies, amounting to approximately USD 227,000 and USD 23,000, respectively. Buddha Boy Arrested for Rape: Who Is Ram Bahadur Bomjom? Know All About Nepal’s Spiritual Leader Arrested for Sexual Abuse of His Followers.

Bomjon's rise to fame was accompanied by scepticism from Buddhist scholars and accusations of physical and sexual misconduct. Over the years, he faced multiple assault complaints, including a rape accusation by an 18-year-old nun in 2018. Despite these controversies, he maintained a devoted following until recent years when legal troubles escalated, prompting him to evade authorities for an extended period. Buddhist scholars have expressed scepticism regarding Bomjon's claims of being a reincarnation, emphasising that his actions contradict core Buddhist principles. 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2024 07:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).