The Gelegphu police detained a 30-year-old man, yesterday, under the suspicion of rape of a 15-year-old school girl during the last winter break. The victim is 5 months pregnant now.
According to a source, the incident took place when the suspect was visiting Pemachhoeling (Dragaon) village of Tareythang Gewog to collect dairy products for the Sarpang Foothill Festival. The suspect is serving as Tshogpa of Tareythang Gewog.
When the victim’s sister learned about the misdeed, she informed the gewog administration. Both the suspect and the victim are from the same village of Pemachhoeling under Tareythang Gewog. Gelegphu police said they have not started investigating the case and refuse to share any details.
According to the Penal Code of Bhutan, A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of rape of a child above the age of twelve years if the defendant commits any act of sexual intercourse against a child between the ages of twelve to eighteen years. The offence shall be graded as a felony of the third degree.
