Of bogus 'babas'

Someone’s public legitimacy, however big, should not come in the way of the criminal justice system.

Nepal Police finally “found” the godman who had gone missing for years right under their nose. Ram Bahadur Bomjan, aka “Little Buddha”, had shot to fame in 2005 after allegedly meditating for months without food, water or sleep. After emerging from his meditation, he and his followers had set up ashrams in Bara, Sarlahi, Sindhupalchok and Sindhuli districts. But then his darker side started coming to light. He had repeatedly dodged the police despite him being slapped with criminal charges as heinous as rapes, sexual assaults, and murders. He is also charged with forcibly disappearing—and even allegedly killing—his disciples Rita Bot (Majhi) of Sarlahi District and Sancha Lal Waiba of Makwanpur District, among others. In addition, he faces charges of raping a 15-year-old girl who had been staying in his ashram as a nun.