KATHMANDU: The Sarlahi District Court has convicted self-proclaimed ascetic Ram Bahadur Bamjan of child abuse. Judge Jeevan Kumar Bhandari pronounced the verdict this way on Monday, adding that sentencing would take place on July 1.

Bamjan, of Ratanpuri, Nijgadh Municipality-12, Bara, was accused of disappearing followers and sexually abusing youngsters. On February 6, 2020, the district court of Sarlahi issued an arrest warrant against him.

Before being captured by the CIB squad from Kathmandu on January 9, 2024, Bamjan had been out of custody since the arrest warrant was issued more than two years prior. After his arrest, the court ordered that he be placed under remand to custody, which happened on January 11, 2024.