Thimphu police are investigating a series of chorten vandalism cases reported between January and May this year in Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, and Dagana. According to police, the cases involve 10 separate incidents where 15 stupas were vandalised. The suspects reportedly confessed to vandalising 18 chorten in Thimphu and Punakha, including an earlier case reported in Wangdue Phodrang.
The first incident occurred in Babesa on January 11, where three stupas were vandalised, while the most recent case was reported on Friday, where two chorten were vandalised.
Around 10 stupas were vandalised in Thimphu, four in Punakha, and one each in Paro and Dagana between January and last week.
Police noted that most of the incidents in these districts occurred during April and May, with a higher concentration over weekends.
Four suspects, aged 30 to 44, allegedly operated as a coordinated group, using group chats to plan and carry out vandalism, targeting several of the oldest stupas in the country. Police said the suspects had even planned their next vandalism.
The suspects were arrested after their vehicle was intercepted at Khasadrapchu at around 3 AM on Friday. Police recovered religious artefacts and ritual items from a bag inside the vehicle.
Police identified the suspects after collecting and analysing CCTV footage from areas near the crime scenes following nearly two months of surveillance, including highway checking conducted at odd hours. The footage helped police narrow down suspicious vehicle movements.
Police also arrested two antique dealers, aged 49 and 37, yesterday, who are suspected of receiving stolen religious artefacts linked to the cases.
Several items, believed to have been taken from the vandalised stupas, have since been recovered.
As per the Penal Code, the offence against Ku, Sung, Thuk-Ten or Zung is a first-degree felony and carries a sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment.
Tashi Dekar
