The Wangdue Phodrang District Court imposed a fine of Nu 5,750 on Kazhi Gup yesterday for the death of a 50-year-old man in June this year. According to the judgment, the accused was found guilty of culpable driving, driving without a valid driving licence and exceeding the gross height of load limited for a light vehicle.
The accused was charged according to the Road Safety and Transport Regulations 2021 and Road Safety and Transport Act 1999. The court took into consideration that the incident occurred during an official inauguration of a new irrigation channel. The deceased’s family has also acknowledged that the incident was accidental. The judgment also stated that the accused had compensated Nu 670,000 to the deceased’s family.
The incident occurred when Kazhi Gup was driving through the gate of the inauguration site in Phangyuel. The pole his vehicle was carrying struck the gate. The deceased, who was on top of the gate removing a ceremonial scarf fell and hit his head against a cement wall, resulting in his death.