Kathmandu: In a recent turn of events, the controversial spiritual leader Ram Bahadur Bomjan, also known as Tapaswi, found himself in legal trouble as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested him on Tuesday evening in Hattigauda. The charges against Bomjan include missing persons and rape.

During a press conference on Wednesday, the CIB disclosed that Bomjan attempted to evade authorities by jumping from the fourth floor of his residence. However, he was apprehended successfully. Subsequent searches at his Budhanilkantha-based residence led to the discovery of significant amounts of currency, both Nepalese and foreign. The recovered funds include Nepalese rupees 34 million, US dollars 1797 thousand 164, Indian rupees 176 thousand, and over 500,000 Chinese yuan.

Among the seized currencies were also Australian Dollars, Euros, Canadian Dollars, Danish Corners, Indonesian Rupees, Malaysian Ringgits, Colombian Pesos, Israeli New Zealand Dollars, Thai Baht, UAE Dirhams, Saudi Arabian Rupees, Bhutanese Rupees, and Singaporean Rupees. The police are now planning to transfer Bomjan to Sarlahi, where a complaint has been filed against him.

The charges against the spiritual leader are serious and involve allegations of sexual exploitation of disciples. A case filed in July 2020 accused him of raping a 15-year-old girl in 2016. The police conducted a thorough search at Bomjan's residence, seizing Nepali currency worth Rs30.3 million and Rs3.092 million in foreign currency from 16 different nations. Additionally, items such as a key to an SUV, billbooks of three two-wheelers, and various electronic devices were confiscated.

Bomjan gained notoriety in 2005 when he earned the nickname "Buddha Boy" for his purported months-long meditation without food, water, or sleep. After emerging from this meditation, he went on to establish ashrams in various districts, amassing a significant following. Now, with his arrest, the spiritual leader faces legal consequences for the alleged crimes against him.