The High Court acquitted Dr. Samdrup Wangchuk of bribery charges, recently. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had charged Dr Samdrup Wangchuk, a medical doctor with the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, of receiving bribes from suppliers in procurement of medical equipment.
In November last year, Thimphu District Court convicted him for bribery. The court also asked him to restitute USD 7000 and Nu 5,00,000 to the Health Ministry. The High Court has dismissed all the charges.
Along with Dr. Samdrup, more than 10 health officials were charged by ACC for official misconduct, embezzlement and bribery while procuring medicines and medical equipment. The issue came to limelight in 2009.
Meanwhile, Dr. Samdrup Wangchuk’s legal representative said during the investigation, the Anti-Corruption Commission threatened Dr. Samdrup to confess the wrongdoing. The legal representative also pointed out that ACC assorted two separate cases from a single investigation.
ACC says the interrogation was done in a formal manner and never threatened Dr. Samdrup. ACC also refuted of assorting two different cases from the investigation.
