Nepal convicts “Buddha Boy” of child sexual abuse

Ram Bahadur Bomjan, known as “Buddha Boy,” rose to fame in 2005 after followers said he could meditate for months without water, food or sleep – Copyright AFP/File DIWAKAR BHANDARI

A Nepalese man whose followers believe him to be a reincarnation of Buddha has been convicted of child sexual abuse, a court official said on Tuesday.

Ram Bahadur Bomjan, called “Buddha Boy” by his followers, rose to fame as a teenager after followers claimed he could meditate motionless for months without water, food or sleep.

“The district court found Bomjan guilty of child sexual abuse on Monday,” said Sikindar Kaapar, spokesman for the court in the southern Nepalese city of Sarlahi.

The verdict is expected next month.

The 33-year-old guru has a loyal following but has long been accused of physically and sexually assaulting his followers and has been hiding from authorities for several years.

Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau arrested him in January in a house on the outskirts of the capital Kathmandu.

According to police, he was caught with bundles of cash worth 30 million Nepalese rupees (US$225,000) and another US$22,500 in foreign currency.

In 2010, dozens of complaints of assault were filed against Bomjan. He claimed to have beaten the victims because they disturbed him while he was meditating.

An 18-year-old nun also accused Bomjan of raping her in a monastery in 2018.

The following year, police launched further investigations against him after family members reported the disappearance of four of his followers from one of his ashrams.

Before he fled, Bomjan still commanded a legion of his followers.

At one point, tens of thousands of people gathered to witness his alleged meditation miracles deep in the jungle.

At the age of 16, Bomjan disappeared for nine months, wandering through the wilderness of eastern Nepal, with Buddhist monks keeping watch around the clock and praying for his safe return.