Nepalese court sentences ‘Buddha Boy’ in sexual assault case

By VOA News

The “Buddha Boy”, thought by some to be the reincarnation of the Buddha, was sentenced by a Nepalese court to 10 years in prison Monday for sexually assaulting an underage girl, according to a court official.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan was also ordered to pay the victim around US$3,700 in compensation, according to court official Sikinder Kaapar.

Bamjan attracted international attention as a teenager in 2005 when tens of thousands of people calling him the “Buddha Boy” visited him as he sat cross-legged, motionless in a Nepalese forest for almost 10 months without water, food, or sleep.

Many believed he was the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, who was born around 2,600 years ago. Buddhist scholars remain skeptical.

Bamjan was arrested on the outskirts of Kathmandu in January and convicted last week. Dilip Kumar Jha, his lawyer, said Bamjan would appeal the sentence. He has 70 days to do so.

According to police, around US$227,000 in Nepalese banknotes and US$23,000 in other currencies were taken during the arrest.

Bamjan is also suspected of being involved in the disappearance of four of his followers. Those chargers are still pending.

With the sexual and physical assault accusations, Bamjan’s popularity has diminished, but he continues to have camps where thousands gather to worship or live.

Popular

PBBM assures safe, timely repatriation of Filipinos amid Israel-Iran conflict

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all concerned government agencies to safely repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel and Iran...

PBBM brings Starlink internet kits, school supplies in Marawi

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led efforts to enhance access to digital education and basic learning needs...

PBBM returns from ‘productive’ visit to Japan; brings home new investments, job opportunities for Filipinos

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has concluded his four-day working trip to Osaka, Japan, which he touted as ‘productive’, as he...

PBBM: NCAP promotes road discipline, lessens corruption

By Brian Campued The No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) being implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) helps reduce corruption involving traffic enforcers and...