A case of sexual exploitation was filed against Ram Bahadur Bomjan, the controversial “spiritual leader”, in the District Court in Sarlahi on Thursday.

In the chargesheet, the District Attorney Office in Sarlahi has demanded 12 to 15 years of jail term for Ram Bahadur Bomjan and his two aides, Gyan Kumar Bomjan and Jit Bahadur Tamang, for their involvement in the sexual exploitation of a minor. The chargesheet accuses Ram Bahadur of raping a 15-year-old girl who was staying in his ashram in Pattharkot, Sarlahi, as an Aani (Nun).

The case filed against Ram Bahadur stated that he raped the minor by luring her to his private quarters at 9:20pm on August 4, 2016. He has further been charged of threatening the girl of consequences if she relayed the incident to others.

On February 23 this year, a complaint against Ram Bahadur was registered at the District Police Office in Sarlahi when the victim turned 18.

Although the District Court had instructed the district police office to arrest Ram Bahadur and his two accomplices a long time ago, police are still unable to trace and arrest the defendants.

“On Thursday, the District Attorney Office filed a case of sexual exploitation against Ram Bahadur Bomjan and his two aides, as the deadline of their arrest is close to expiring,” Keshav Prasad Gautam, district attorney in Sarlahi, said. “The attorney office has demanded 12 to 14 years of jail term for the accused in accordance with the Criminal Code. The code mandates 12 to 14 years of jail term for raping a girl aged between 14 and 16.”

According to the District Attorney Office, the charge sheet also demands compensation for the victim.

Ram Bahadur Bomjam is also wanted by the authorities for the disappearances of four of his disciples. In mid-June, a joint team from the Central Investigation Bureau, the Bagmati Provincial Police and the district police offices in Kavre, Sindhupalchok and Sarlahi raided his ashram in Pairey Sindhuli, but could not locate him.

He had shot to fame in 2005 for allegedly meditating for months without food, water or sleep. He had been dubbed the “Buddha Boy” by the media. After emerging from his meditation, he and his followers had set up ashrams in Bara, Sarlahi, Sindhupalchok and Sindhuli districts.