Thinley Namgay 

The High Court’s (HC) bench II upheld the judgment of the Trashigang dzongkhag’s court on Wamrong’s battery and trespassing case.

The HC passed the judgment yesterday.

Wamrong drungkhag and Trashigang dzongkhag court found defendant Tshering Yangki guilty of battery and trespassing and gave a concurrent sentencing of 18 months in prison.

The courts also ordered her to pay Nu 260,000 as compensation to the victim.

It stated Tshering Yangki must pay the compensation and medical expenses to the victim within a month from the day the judgment was given.

Defendant Tshering Yangki appealed to the HC earlier this year contending she is not guilty for both battery and trespassing.

She also contended the lower court’s decision and claimed she was imposed huge compensation and the courts’ dismissal of the assault charges against the victim and her son.

The defendant also submitted to the HC that her family was defamed after the short video clip of her assaulting the victim went viral on Facebook. She questioned if freelance journalist Namgay Zam could raise funds for the victim.

The court, however, ruled that the issues are not related to the battery and trespassing case and the video clip in fact serves as an evidence. “Medical reports from Riserboo hospital, Mongar regional referral hospital and national referral hospital in Thimphu confirm the victim’s claims,” the judgment stated.

It ruled that the relevant ministry and agency should deal with the defendant’s contention over the fund raising.

Meanwhile, the judgment also stated that the media is the country’s fourth estate and it has the responsibility to inform the public correctly to gain public trust. “Media should function according to its rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution.”

Edited by Tashi Dema