A controversial Nepalese spiritual leader known as “Buddha Boy” has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing a minor and involvement in the disappearance of at least four of his followers, local police said Wednesday.
Ram Bahadur Bamjan, as his real name is, is believed by many Nepalese to be the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in southwestern Nepal about 2,600 years ago and became known as the Buddha, the AP news agency reports.
Tried to escape
“Buddha Boy” was arrested late on Tuesday in his house in a suburb of Kathmandu, the country’s capital.
According to the police, the spiritual leader had tried to escape by jumping two stories from a window when the officers arrived but failed and was taken into custody.
The police also seized a large pile of Nepalese banknotes, which should correspond to over two million Swedish kronor. Bamjan will soon face trial in southern Nepal, where the alleged crimes took place.
Riot police against supporters
Dozens of “Buddha Boy” supporters gathered on Wednesday outside the police station in Kathmandu, where Bamjan is being held, but were pushed back by riot police, AP writes.
Bamjan became known as “Buddha Boy” in 2005 when many believed he could meditate without moving for months, while sitting under a tree without food or water. Buddhist scholars, however, have been skeptical of Bamjan’s claims.
Despite previous accusations of sexually abusing his followers, he has remained popular in southern Nepal, where thousands of his followers have settled to worship him.