KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal’s controversial spiritual leader known as “Buddha Boy” was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor, court officials said.
Ram Bahadur Bhanjan, believed by some to be the reincarnation of the founder of Buddhism, was also ordered by a judge in the Salahi District Court in southern Nepal to pay $3,700 in compensation to the victims.
Court official Sadhan Adhikari said the man has 70 days to appeal against the court order.
Police arrested Bomjan in January on the outskirts of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, on suspicion of sexual assault and involvement in the disappearance of at least four followers.
Police said $227,000 worth of Nepali currency notes and $23,000 worth of foreign currency were seized during the arrests.
Last week, a court found him guilty of sexually assaulting an underage girl.
Charges relating to the disappearance of his followers remain pending trial.
Many Nepalese believe that Bhanjan is a reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in southwestern Nepal about 2,600 years ago and was revered as the Buddha. Buddhist scholars are skeptical of Bhanjan’s claims.
Bhanjyang became famous in southern Nepal in 2005.
Although his popularity has dwindled due to accusations of sexual and physical assault against his followers, he still maintains a camp in southern Nepal where thousands come to worship and live.
