The Thimphu District Court has ordered diversion for 10 children in conflict with the law in connection with the recent battery case. Police had charged the children with battery, being an accomplice to battery and failing to report a crime in July.
It means the children will have to follow specific conditions set under their individual diversion agreements for six months.
The court says it is to correct the children’s behaviour, while protecting their privacy and giving them an opportunity to reintegrate into society. This also avoids them from going through the formal criminal justice process, taking the best interests of the children.
It looked at each child’s circumstances individually, including their behaviour, remorse and whether they had any previous criminal record.
The court also considered the views of the children, their parents, legal aid representatives, probation officers, child psychologists and school authorities.
But diversion does not mean there are no consequences. If a child fails to follow the agreement, the case can be brought back to court.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
