Sonam Deki and  Priyakala Rai | Interns

Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) management is investigating an assault case, where a security guard is alleged to have assaulted a parking fee collector on January 4.

Officials said the case is under investigation and they have asked both the victim and accused to submit written statements.

The incident allegedly occurred at 9am near the JDWNRH parking area after the parking fee collector questioned the security guard about why he was preventing vehicles from entering the underground parking when there were enough parking spaces.

The 26-year-old victim, who suffered injuries to his left eye, neck, and back, claimed he was punched and kicked.




“I questioned him because there were enough parking spaces and if there are no vehicles parked, I will not be able to pay Nu 4,500 to my contractor at the end of the day,” he said.

He alleged that the security guard started assaulting him after a vehicle owner scolded him for not allowing him to enter the parking lot.

However, the accused, Yeshi Loday, said the parking fee collector was not following rules as prescribed to prevent traffic jams.

He said the parking fee collector was collecting the fees at the parking entrance, causing traffic congestion, so he sent the vehicles back stating that there was no parking. “Although I sent vehicles inside after he finished collecting the charges, he cursed at me.”

An eyewitness said there was no traffic jam when the incident happened and he suspected some personal issues caused the brawl. “A rain guard on a taxi was also broken in the brawl.”




Meanwhile, observers are questioning if the hospital management should resolve the case internally as an assault case is a penal offence.

A source said Section 156 of the Penal Code of Bhutan states a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of assault if the defendant purposely, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently causes apprehension of bodily injury to another person.