Choki Wangmo | Tsirang

Tsirang Dzongkhag Court yesterday sentenced a 56-year-old teacher to 30 years in prison for molesting 10 children of a primary school in the dzongkhag in 2019.

Dil Bahadur Chhetri Neopani was arrested on November 8, 2019 after police and dzongkhag’s child protection unit received complaints about molestation and harassment.

He was serving as the officiating vice principal when 10 children studying in class II and III then complained of bad touch.

Tsirang police, after investigations, forwarded the case to the Office of the Attorney General in December 2019.

He was granted bail after 25 days of detention.

According to the judgment, he was found guilty of touching the children inappropriately.

The consecutive sentencing is non-compoundable and he will not be allowed to pay thrimthue in lieu of prison term.

The court ordered him to pay a compensation of Nu 90,000 to each victim, which amounts to Nu 900,000.

It stated that he has to pay the compensation within a month and if he fails to pay within the given time, his property will be seized.

When the case surfaced, the teacher claimed he pinched the girls to punish them for not performing well in studies. However, investigations revealed he not only touched and pinched the girls inappropriately but even kissed them.

Meanwhile, Dil Bahadur Chhetri Neopani said that he would appeal to the High Court.