As the then Monggar Dzongda, the Home Minister, Minjur Dorji, had knowingly and intentionally allotted plots to those who are not eligible, according to the ACC’s rebuttal statement. “He must be held responsible,” it reads.
The Anti-Corruption Commission submitted its rebuttal statement against Lyonpo Minjur Dorji to the Monggar district court, today.
The Home Minister, as the then Monggar Dzongda, is accused of allotting land to Kharchu and Dramitse Dratsang and a private individual, illegally in Gyalpoizhing in 2005. He has been charged for official misconduct with criminal intention, under section 294 of the Bhutan Penal Code.
Refutting the claims, the Home Minister’s legal council, said the allotment was done according to the law and the charges against the Minister should be dropped.
Also, in Lyonpo’s statement to the court on January 3, Lyonpo refuted the charges pressed against him by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The Home Minster’s legal council will rebut ACC’s statement on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Speaker Jigme Tshultim, also submitted his second rebuttal statement against the Anti-Corruption Commission to the Monggar District Court today.
Tshogpon once again refuted all the charges pressed against him by the ACC and pleaded not guilty.
The Speaker in today’s statement reiterated that all the plot allotments were done according to the law. He once again asked the constitutionality and locus standi of the case and if the ACC’s Act can be applied retrospectively.
The Gyalpoizhing land case, the Speaker added, is aimed at hampering the reputation of his Party and the institution of democracy.
Tshogpon Jigme Tshultim, as then the Monggar Dzongda and the Chairman of the Gyalpoizhing plot allotment committee, is accused of forgery, deceptive practice, sale of government land and illegal registration of government land.
The Anti-Corruption Commission will rebut the Speaker’s statement on Monday.
Hearings for the committee members are also being conducted simultaneously. Around 18 committee members are being charged for official misconduct. As a committee member then, they are all charged for not carrying out their responsibilities diligently. Around four to six hearings on Gyalpoizhing land case are being held at the Monggar district court on a daily basis.
