Nepalese spiritual leader “Buddha Boy” convicted of sexually abusing a minor

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A court in southern Nepal has convicted a controversial spiritual leader known as “Buddha Boy” of sexually abusing a minor.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan, considered by some to be the reincarnation of the founder of Buddhism, was arrested by police in January on charges of sexual assault and suspected involvement in the disappearance of at least four followers from his camp.

A judge at the Sarlahi District Court found him guilty on Monday of sexually abusing a minor girl and said the verdict would be announced on July 1. Charges related to the disappearance of his followers are still pending.

He faces at least 12 years in prison, but he can still appeal the sentence.

Many Nepalese believe that Bamjan is the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in southwestern Nepal about 2,600 years ago and was worshipped as a Buddha. Buddhist scholars are skeptical of Bamjan’s claims.

Bamjan was arrested in a house in a suburb of Kathmandu, the country’s capital, after jumping from a two-story window in an attempt to escape.

According to police, at the time of the arrest they seized Nepalese banknotes worth US$227,000 and other foreign currencies totalling US$23,000.

Bamjan rose to fame in southern Nepal in 2005 when he claimed he could meditate for months while sitting under a tree without moving and without food or water.

His popularity has waned amid allegations of sexual and physical assaults on his followers, but he still maintains camps in southern Nepal where thousands come to pray or live.