Kathmandu [Nepal], April 17 (ANI): A Janakpur High Court in Nepal has acquitted Ram Bahadur Bomjan aka "Buddha Boy" in a child sexual abuse case. Dubbed as "Buddha Boy" in early 2005, the controversial spiritual leader was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal from the outskirts of the capital, Kathmandu and taken to Sarlahi on 10 January last year.The Janakpur High Court acquitted Bomjan in the case on March 19, along with Gyan Bahadur and Dig Bahadur Bomjan. A joint bench of Justices Khemraj Bhatta and Narishwar Bhandari acquitted Bomjon overturning the Sarlahi District Court's verdict. The full text of the verdict also has been made public.Following the acquittal, Bomjon has been released from Sindhupalchowk Prison."A letter of the Janakpur High Court's verdict was received that night. We released him the next morning on March 20," confirmed Niraj Ram Danai, the acting chief of Sindhupalchowk Prison, to ANI. Bomjon ran an ashram in Sindhupalchowk. On October 10, 2019, Gangamaya Tamang of Rautahat filed a complaint against Bomjon, alleging that he raped her while she was staying at the ashram.The case was filed under the statute of limitations of the Act Related to Children, which allows a victim to file a complaint of sexual abuse or rape that occurred during their childhood after turning 18.Gangamaya filed the complaint after turning 18, as per this legal provision. She alleged that Bomjon raped her on August 4, 2016. Following her complaint, the police opened an investigation.Based on the police investigation report, the District Government Attorney's Office filed a case against Bomjon, seeking a prison term of 12 to 14 years and appropriate compensation for the victim. Similarly, it demanded prison sentences for two other individuals.On July 1, 2024, the Sarlahi District Court sentenced Bomjon to 10 years in prison and also fined him Rs 500,000, while acquitting Dig Bahadur and Gyan Bahadur.Dissatisfied with the district court's decision, the government attorney's office appealed to the high court, demanding imprisonment and fines for all three as per the original claims.Bomjan also filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking acquittal. Both parties filed appeals in October 2024. The high court deemed the case defective from the beginning.The court annulled the district court's order, ruling that the defendant was convicted based on an investigation and charges stemming from a complaint without regard to the statute of limitations."The convicted appellant Ram Lal Bomjon alias Ram Bahadur Bomjon is also acquitted of the alleged offence. The claims of the plaintiff, the Government of Nepal, cannot be sustained," says the verdict.The 34-year-old originally named as Ram Lal Bomjan who since 2005 has been known as "Buddha Boy" or reincarnation of Gautam Buddha is charged with rape and forceful disappearance at various police stations in the Himalayan Nation.Bomjan came to the attention of the public in 2005 after he claimed to have meditated for months without food, water or sleep. Soon after his meditation was over, he established ashrams in Bara, Sarlahi, Sindhupalchowk, and Sindhuli Districts.Earlier in July 2020, the District Court in Sarlahi had registered a case of sexual exploitation filed by a minor female disciple (aged 15 at the time). According to the chargesheet, the incident occurred at the ashram in Pattharkot, Sarlahi.Soon after the complaint was filed, the Police discovered that four of his disciples had also gone missing from his Ashram. In June 2020, a joint team from CIB, Bagmati Provincial Police, and District Police Offices in Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, and Sarlahi conducted a raid at his ashram in Pairey, Sindhuli, but was unable to locate him.The victim accused Bomjan with rape at night on August 4, 2016. The minor also stated that she kept it hidden after receiving threats from Bomjan not to relay the incident to others, otherwise she would face the consequences.Worshipped and regarded as the reincarnation of Gautam Buddha, Bomjan had a significant number of disciples but was on the run since early 2020, when a complaint was filed against him for sexual exploitation by female disciples. (ANI)