KATHMANDU: Ram Bahadur Bamjan, long sought by the police, has been apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB).

The CIB spokesperson, Navaraj Adhikari, confirmed the arrest, stating that the operation took place in the Budhanilkantha Hattigauda area of Kathmandu.

“Bamjan, who has been on the police’s wanted list due to various complaints, was arrested by the CIB team around 7 pm today in the Budhanilkantha vicinity,” Adhikari stated.

The police had been actively searching for Bamjan following a complaint from his ashram, where four individuals, including a nun, were reported missing.

The allegations against Bamjan include accusations of murdering followers, causing their disappearance, and engaging in sexual assault.

Despite multiple attempts by the police to apprehend him, Bamjan had managed to evade arrest.

Earlier interventions included police raids on Bamjan’s ashram in Sindhupalchok’s Indravati in Kamalamai municipality.

Adding to the severity of the accusations, an 18-year-old girl residing in Bamjan’s ashram had filed a rape complaint against him.

Bamjan, who identified himself as the proponent of ‘Bodhimarg Darshanmaitri Dharma,’ faces pending charges in District Court Sarlahi.

Despite court orders for his appearance, Bamjan consistently eluded the authorities.

Furthermore, complaints surfaced regarding three young women and two young men who had gone missing in connection with Bamjan, further heightening the gravity of the allegations against the self-proclaimed ascetic.