KATHMANDU: Ram Bahadur Bomjon, widely known as the self-proclaimed spiritual figure “Little Buddha,” has been acquitted by the High Court in Janakpur in a high-profile rape case involving a minor.
The decision overturns a previous ruling by the Sarlahi District Court that had sentenced Bamjan to 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay Rs. 500,000 in compensation.
According to Deputy Registrar Sushil Yadav, a bench of judges Narishwar Bhandari and Khemraj Bhatta dismissed the case citing insufficient evidence to support the claims against Bomjon.
The verdict was issued on March 19, and led to his release from the Sindhupalchowk District Prison, where he was being held.
Bomjon had been imprisoned in Sindhupalchowk for a separate case concerning the disappearance of his sister-in-law Phulmaya Rumba.
He faces several other unresolved cases and allegations. The government prosecutor’s office has yet to move forward with a case involving the disappearance of another follower, Sanchalal Waiba, from Badegaun in Sindhupalchowk.
Similarly, in Nuwakot, Bomjon was released on a regular court date related to the disappearance of Chinimaya Tamang, who went missing from one of his ashrams.
In Bara, a petition remains pending in connection with the alleged disappearance of Suresh Kumar Ale of Jitpur Simara. Despite relatives filing a report, the case has not been formally registered.
Another complaint involving the disappearance of Rita Bot of Bagmati Municipality-12 in Sarlahi also remains unresolved, with police unable to confirm the status of the investigation.
Adding to the legal turmoil, Bamjan is also facing a money laundering case involving Rs. 82.7 million, filed in Sarlahi District Court. Authorities allege the funds were acquired through illegal means, though the case has yet to reach a conclusion.
Since his release, Bomjon’s whereabouts have not been publicly disclosed. Police have not launched a search for him. His last known residence is in Hattigauda, Budhanilkantha Municipality-6, Kathmandu, though his permanent address remains listed as Nijgadh Municipality-12, Bara.
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