Neten Dorji 

Trashigang dzongkhag court sentenced a 29-year-old man from Ritshangdung, Trashigang to 10 years in prison for rape of a child above the age of 12. 

The court convicted the defendant in accordance with the Penal Code (Amendment) Act of Bhutan 2011 which grades the crime as a second degree felony.  

The judgment, which was rendered last week, stated that the defendant had engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor from the same village several times. 

The defendant has raped the minor on August 14, and the mother of the victim filed a complaint with police the next day after which police arrested the man.  

The corroborating evidence, the medical examination conducted the next day after the incident showed that there was no clear evidence, the judgment states.    

The court could not provide compensatory damages to the victim as the medical report did not indicate use of force or body injury. The victim’s mother in consultation with the victim submitted to the prosecutor to waive the right to compensatory damages. The jugment stated that the convict need not compensate the victim according to the party’s submission. 

The defendant was sentenced under sections 09, 183, and section 184 of the Penal Code of Bhutan.

Meanwhile, if aggrieved by the decision, both the parties can appeal to the higher court within 10 days of the judgment.