Ram Bahadur Bomjan, who is wanted by the police for the disappearance of five of his followers, appeared from hiding at his ashram in Kamalamai Municipality-8, Sindhuli, on Friday.

Bodhi Shrawan Dharma Sangh, an organisation founded by Bomjan, said the ascetic blessed his followers on Friday, and that he will participate in the 14th World Peace Prayer along with his followers who have arrived at the ashram from all over the country.

Bomjan, who in 2005 earned the moniker “Buddha boy” for allegedly meditating for months without food, water or sleep, was absconding after being accused of his involvement behind the disappearance of five of his followers.

Fulmaya Rumba and Sancha Lal Waiba of Makwanpur, Suresh Ale Magar of Bara, Chunmo Dolma Tamang of Nuwakot, and Rita Bot of Sarlahi disappeared from different ashrams on different dates over nine years.

The families of the disappeared persons started searching for their loved ones after Setopati published a series of reports on Bomjan, who is accused of sexually exploiting his female followers and using violence to intimidate those who spoke against him.

Police had raided Bomjan’s ashram in Badegaun, Sindhupalchok, on January 4 following the complaints filed by the families of the disappeared persons some four months ago. However, police could not find Bomjan at the ashram. Investigation into the case, which had simmered down in recent months, is expected to progress with Bomjan’s emergence in Sindhuli. But the district police chief SP Chakra Bahadur Singh said that he had not received any order regarding the Bomjan case.

“The case is being probed by the higher level. We have no orders as of now,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ashram in Sindhuli is being closely guarded by Bomjan’s followers, who are also working as security for the upcoming World Peace Prayer event.

Bomjan’s followers are only letting people enter after registering their names at the main gate. They have also restricted taking photographs inside the ashram.