Thimphu police has registered a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against two individuals from Wangduephodrang for attempting to assault and threatening two investigating officials.

While police officials say they are still investigating the case, it was learnt that the incident happened on July 23 when the two lady officials went to the district jail in the police headquarters compound to drop an accused, who is under ACC detention since June 11 for alleged project fund diversion, fraudulent practice in tourism business and tax evasion.

ACC officials said the accused’s relatives, a man and a woman, came to drop dinner for the woman in the district jail and were returning home but after seeing the ACC vehicle, followed the officials.

Officials said the relatives asked them when the woman would be released they returned after handing over the accused to the jail officials. “When our officials told them they have to talk to the Commission, the relatives accused them of being useless and worthless,” an official said.

The official also alleged that a relative then told the ACC officials that the case has now become personal and that the officials were prolonging it. “She then accused our officials that she will put them under detention and threatened them that they do not know who they are.”

ACC officials also alleged that the relative spat on the investigators and said she will not leave them.

They, however, say that this is not the first time their officials were harassed or threatened.

Citing an example of how a contractor accused of bribery went berserk while being interrogated and challenged the investigation officer for a physical fight in June this year, officials say one of the main challenges and concern for the commission is the security of their officials.

“The contractor tore all his statements,” an official said.

Officials also cited another case of how an accused tried to assault their officials in Phuentsholing a few years ago.

“The accused and their relatives are undermining the constitutional mandate of ACC, which cannot be tolerated,” an official said. “We cannot afford to let this kind of cases go unreported, as it happens time and again.”

Staff reporter

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