Crimes against persons have been steadily increasing over the past three years, with battery remaining one of the most common offences in the country. Police statistical yearbooks show that battery cases continue to rise and consistently account for a large share of crimes against persons. Battery has remained one of the top five crimes in the country for the last three years.
Crimes against persons include offences that directly harm an individual’s physical, emotional, or psychological well-being. These include homicide, assault, battery, sexual offences, and crimes against vulnerable groups.
Battery specifically involves causing actual physical harm to another person.
Over the last five years, battery has accounted for about 78 to 81 per cent of all crimes against persons in Bhutan.
In 2020, battery made up 81 per cent of crimes against persons, with 828 battery cases out of 1,019 reported. In 2021, it accounted for 79 per cent, with 780 of 984 cases. In 2022, battery still made up 78 per cent, with 778 out of 996 cases.
The figure rose again in 2023, with 853 cases, 78 per cent of 1,089. Last year, battery continued to dominate, with 912 incidents making up 78.02 per cent of the 1,169 total crimes against persons.
Police say the rising numbers can be attributed to awareness programmes that are encouraging more victims to come forward and seek help.
Under the Penal Code of Bhutan, a person is guilty of battery if they purposely use physical force of an adverse nature on another person.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Sonam Pem
