Punakha District Court sentenced 20-year-old Ugyen Tshering from Monggar to life in prison for the murder of late former Dorji Lopen. He was also convicted for burglary. The court passed the judgment yesterday. The incident occurred at Nalendra Shedra in Punakha in July this year.
Ugyen Tshering is a former monk. He joined Nalendra shedra in 2017 but was expelled the very next year after being caught stealing money from the late former Dorji Lopen. On the night of 2nd July this year, Ugyen Tshering, under the influence of drugs and alcohol reached Nalendra Shedra in a stolen vehicle.
Upon arrival at the shedra, he unlawfully entered the former Dorji Lopen’s residence, carrying a metal rod, with the intend to rob. As the 90-year-old deceased was exiting the altar room, he struck him nine times on the head causing fatal injuries. The medical examination found multiple blunt force injuries on the head caused by metal rod which was recovered from the crime scene. Ugyen was arrested the next day from Paro.
The court verdict mentioned that CCTV footage confirmed the convict’s presence at the former Dorji Lopen’s residence during the night of the incident. The footage showed the convict in mask carrying the bloodstained weapon. He was identified through his burn mark and a tattoo on his arm. Ugyen had deliberately planned the murder, contacting acquaintance at Nalendra Shedra to confirm the deceased’s whereabouts.
The court gave the convict a life sentence, citing the link between the murder and burglary, the victim’s high religious status, and the convict’s lack of remorse.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
