KATHMANDU: Ram Bahadur Bamjan, also known as ‘Little Buddha,’ is currently in police custody in Sarlahi, where an investigation has been initiated.

Bamjan was apprehended on January 9 in Budhanilkantha with around 30 million rupees on charges of child sexual abuse.

Following his arrest, he was presented to the Sarlahi District Court, which ordered him to be placed in custody.

The primary allegations against Bamjan include child sexual abuse, involvement in the disappearance and possible murder of his devotees.

Investigations into these serious charges are currently underway.

One of Bamjan’s key assistants, Suresh Ale from Bara, has been missing for the past eight years. Ale was reportedly taken by the Protection Committee of Bamjan in 2072 BS, according to his family members.

Additional missing individuals associated with Bamjan’s ashram include Chini Maya Tamang (Chunmo) from Nuwakot since 2069 BS, Fulmaya Rumba (Dolmo) from Hetauda-16 since 2071 Magh, Sanchala Waiba from Hetauda-13 since 2071 Chaitra, and Rita Bote from Bagmati Municipality of Sarlahi. Family members report their disappearance from Bamjan’s Sindhupalchok-based Ashram.

Moreover, Bamjan faces accusations of rape from a girl in Rautagat and holding captive a woman named Marechi from Slovakia, along with another woman from Nijgadh-8, in his meditation center. Marechi was later freed by the police.

Additionally, Bamjan is accused of possessing dual citizenship. Police records also indicate an incident in 2063 where Bamjan allegedly struck a youth with a sword in the Hal Khoriya jungle. Investigations into these diverse allegations are ongoing.