A man in his early 20s is in custody for the alleged rape of a minor in Panbang under Zhemgang. The 16-year-old girl, a student in one of the schools in Panbang, is now six months pregnant. The suspect was apprehended earlier this month.
According to sources, the school authorities suspected her pregnancy after she suffered from morning sickness, a common symptom of pregnancy, and took her to the hospital for a test. Following the positive result, the management reported the case to the police.
Sources said the suspect reportedly confessed to having an illicit relationship with the girl for about two months. However, he denied being the father of the unborn child. Panbang police forwarded the case to the Office of Attorney General (OAG). BBS learned that the case is now with the Panbang Dungkhag Court.
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 is graded as a felony of the second degree with a prison term of nine years to 15 years.
Pema Samdrup
