SURKHET: Nepal Police have arrested Sameer Thapa, a self-styled faith healer known as “Pathibhara Mata,” from Birendranagar Municipality–3 in Surkhet on charges of allegedly abusing a woman under the guise of religious healing rituals.

According to the District Police Office, Surkhet, a police team led by Inspector Deepak Magarathi arrested Thapa from his residence in Erichok. Superintendent of Police Thakur Prasad Pokharel, chief of the District Police Office, confirmed the arrest.

Police said Thapa is accused of mistreating a woman while claiming to perform faith healing, exorcism, and spiritual consultations in the name of religion. Authorities were alerted after local residents informed police that photos and videos related to the alleged incident were being circulated on social media.

Police have taken Thapa into custody and said further investigation into the case is underway.