Self-declared ascetic Bomjan held with Rs. 33M in cash from Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Jan. 11: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police made public the details of fugitive Ram Bahadur Bomjan, so-called ascetic, alias Ram Lal Bomjan on Wednesday, following his arrest from Tan Gaun of Budhanilkantha Municipality-6 in the capital Tuesday evening.

In a press conference organised at the Bureau this afternoon, the CIB provided insights into the allegations Bomjan is facing, which include murder, disappearance of his followers, and engaging in sexual assault.

Upon detaining Bomjan, the CIB conducted a thorough search of his residence, resulting in the confiscation of Rs. 33 million. 

The Bureau also seized various items, including foreign currencies of 17 countries, 14 mobile phones, laptops, and pen drives. The confiscated foreign currencies are equivalent to Rs. 3.92 million.

Speaking at the press conference, Additional Inspector General and chief of the Bureau Kiran Bajracharya said that the legal proceedings against Bomjan will now advance to the District Court, Sarlahi. AIG Bajracharya said during the investigation, it was found that he had just purchased one Land Cruiser vehicle worth Rs. 50 million and one Toyota Fortuner with registration number Pro. 3-01-024 Cha 6729.   

CIB Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police (SP) Nabaraj Adhikari said that Bomjan will be taken to Janakpur by air, and subsequently, a vehicle will be utilised to transport him to Sarlahi.

“While searching for Bomjan, when I entered the house to arrest him at around 19:15 p.m. on Tuesday, he tried to escape by jumping through the window,” SP Adhikari said. It was informed in the press conference that the team of the Bureau arrested him while he was running away. 

Bomjan has faced accusations of raping a woman residing as a nun in his ashram in Halkhoriya, Bara.

The case, filed by the same victim, is presently under consideration in the District Court, Sarlahi.

Bomjan is facing charges of sexual gratification and child sexual abuse with nuns. An arrest warrant was issued against him by Sarlahi District Court on July 5, 2020.

His permanent residence is stated as Ratanpuri-12, Nijgadh Municipality, Bara. Since the issuance of the arrest warrant, Bomjan had been evading authorities until his recent arrest.

Meanwhile, our Sarlahi correspondent, Janarjan Khatri said that that Bomjan will be presented to the court as soon as he is brought to Sarlahi from Kathmandu. Sarlahi Superintendent of Police Prabin Dhital said that after Bomjan was brought there, he will appear in Sarlahi District Court.

Registrar Sadan Adhikari of Sarlahi District Court said that an arrest warrant has been issued against Bomjan in the case of ‘sexual gratification and child sexual exploitation’. 

Mother Sumni Bot had filed a complaint at the district police office saying that Bomjan had disappeared her daughter Rita Bot from Bagmati Municipality of Sarlahi. Bomjan also lived in an ashram located at Pattharkot Syangbo Danda, Lalbandi Municipality-12 in Chure area of Sarlahi for a few years.

According to the locals, Bomjan’s ashram is now deserted. Sometimes some of the followers are noticed visiting the place. After the arrest warrant was issued against Bomjan, Sarlahi police repeatedly raided the ashram in Pattharkot.