Chencho Dema

The Samtse District Court has acquitted the former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gomtu police station, who was charged with rape and aiding in child molestation, due to insufficient evidence.

The victim’s final statement indicated that the act was consensual.

While the former OC was acquitted on the primary charges, he was found guilty of serving alcohol to a minor, for which he was sentenced to three months in prison, payable with a fine of Nu 10,750.

The officer had been suspended following the allegations, which arose from an incident at his residence in Samtse on June 3, 2023.

A friend of the former OC, who was present at the residence, is accused of molesting one of the girls, who was reportedly intoxicated after drinking.

Sources confirmed that the former OC is expected to be reinstated following the acquittal.

Other individuals involved in the case were sentenced to prison terms ranging from one month to nine years on charges including the rape of a minor above the age of 12, child molestation, and sexual harassment.

Narayan Basnett was sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape of a minor above 12.

Kinley Rabgay received a sentence of three months’ imprisonment or a fine of Nu 5,125 for sexual harassment.

Kesang Rigden was acquitted of child molestation and rape charges but was sentenced to five years for attempted rape.

Shecha was sentenced to three years in prison for child molestation.

Ajay Gurung was also sentenced to nine years for the rape of a minor.

Defendants Ajay Gurung and Shecha appealed their sentences, but the High Court upheld the original verdict on October 30, 2023.

Case background
The incident occurred when two schoolgirls, aged 17 and 18, went to Suktikhola (river), a popular drinking spot, with one of the girls’ boyfriends on the evening of June 3, 2023. The girls later met the former OC’s friend, who took them to the OC’s  residence after they had been drinking.

At the former OC’s residence, the 18-year-old girl spent the night with him, while the 17-year-old girl was allegedly molested by the OC’s friend.

Prior to the encounter with the former OC and his friend, the girls had encountered five other men. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed how the girls were sexually abused by different men on different occasions along with other two girls aged 17 and 15.

The initial verdict from the Samtse District Court was issued on August 24, 2023.

Defendants Ajay Gurung and Shecha appealed to the High Court. However, the High Court affirmed Samtse District Court’s judgment on October 30.