KATHMANDU, May 27: Controversial religious leader Ram Bahadur Bamjan, also known as Ramlal Bamjan, appeared before the District Court on Monday, which ordered his pre-trial detention in a money laundering case and sent him to jail.
Judge Jivan Kumar Bhandari’s bench instructed authorities to hold Bamjan-popularly known as the "Little Buddha”-in custody, after which officials transferred him to Malangwa prison.
Ascetic' Bamjan mingling with ‘holy men’ inside jail
The Sarlahi District Court registered the money laundering case against Bamjan on Falgun 5, 2081 BS (February 17, 2025). When Bamjan appeared for the hearing, a large crowd of his supporters and followers gathered outside the court.
Earlier, the Sarlahi District Court sentenced Bamjan for sexually abusing a minor follower named "Anni." In Asar 2081 BS (June 2024), the court sentenced Bamjan to 10 years in prison and fined him Rs 500,000 in compensation.
Bamjan appealed the verdict at the Janakpur High Court, which overturned the district court's decision and acquitted Bamjan on March 19, 2025. After the High Court acquitted him, authorities released Bamjan from jail. However, today, they sent him back to jail on a money laundering case.
