Chencho Dema

Five open-air prisoners in Pemathang, Samdrupjongkhar, have been charged in connection with the alleged murder of a 21-year-old fellow prisoner.

The Office of the Attorney General has submitted the charge sheet to the Samdrupcholing Drungkhag Court, and the trial is underway.

The victim was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the night of September 22, following an altercation with a group of fellow prisoners.

At the time of the incident, the deceased was with a group of friends, while the alleged suspects were with their own group, discussing plans for the upcoming Blessed Rainy Day celebration.

According to the police investigation, the confrontation began as a verbal argument fueled by alcohol but quickly escalated into violence. Two suspects allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife during the fight.

The suspects, aged between early 20s and late 30s, face various charges, including voluntary manslaughter, attempted voluntary manslaughter, and battery.

A 32-year-old and a 30-year-old have been charged with voluntary manslaughter, while a 23-year-old and a 31-year-old are charged with battery. A 37-year-old faces charges of attempted voluntary manslaughter.

The suspects were previously convicted for battery and drug trafficking.

The investigating police officer told Kuensel that the victim was rushed to the hospital by his friends but succumbed to injuries on the way. The victim was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

One of the suspects fled the scene immediately after the incident but was apprehended the following morning upon returning to his room.

From Sarpang, the victim was serving a five-year sentence for smuggling marijuana during the Covid-19 pandemic. He had around two years left to serve.

The deceased was the only son in his family, with five elder sisters and one younger sister.