Buddha Boy Ram Bahadur Bomjan Convicted for Raping Minor in Nepal

Ram Bahadur Bomjan, also known as ‘Buddha Boy,’ was convicted by the Sarlahi District Court in Nepal on charges of raping a minor. Bomjan, who claimed to be the reincarnation of Gautam Buddha, was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal from the outskirts of Kathmandu and taken to Sarlahi on January 10, earlier this year.

Court Official Sadan Adhikari confirmed that the court will deliver its final verdict on July 1. Bomjan, originally named Ram Lal Bomjan, has been charged with rape and forceful disappearance at various police stations in Nepal.

Bomjan gained public attention in 2005 after claiming to have meditated for months without food, water, or sleep. He later established ashrams in Bara, Sarlahi, Sindhupalchowk, and Sindhuli Districts.

In July 2020, the District Court in Sarlahi registered a case of sexual exploitation filed by a minor female disciple, who was 15 at the time. The incident reportedly took place at the ashram in Pattharkot, Sarlahi. The victim accused Bomjan of raping her on August 4, 2016, and stated that she kept it hidden due to threats from Bomjan.

Bomjan has also been accused of the disappearance of five disciples from his ashrams. A local news portal, Setopati.com, reported these incidents in a series that unearthed the events inside the ashrams of the claimed spiritual leader.