The Foreign Minister, Rinzin Dorje has been charged with favouring a local saw-miller by awarding timber sawing works worth Nu. 1.4M without approval of the tender committee. The first hearing, held at Haa District Court today, lasted four hours.
Lyonpo has also been charged with misusing of dzongkhag DCM truck to transport timber from Haa to Thimphu for personal use.
Lyonpo Rinzin Dorje said he has asked for two-week time to reply to the charges.
Speaking to BBS outside the court, Lyonpo said the case was sub-judice and that he did not want to comment further as any opinions he shares would be considered contempt of court.
Asked whether he would hire a lawyer, Lyonpo said all such matters would be decided in due course. “I will look at the charges carefully and depending on their gravity, decide accordingly.”
Around 13 charges were read out against seven defendants, including Lyonpo Rinzin Dorje.
Most of the charges were against the Project Engineer, Tashi Gyeltshen. He was charged for embezzlement, abuse of function, forgery and bribery. Tashi Gyeltshen was also allegedly involved in soliciting and accepting bribery, forging fictional bids among others.
The proceedings had started at 10 AM with the bench clerk reading out the charges against the seven defendants.
After that, prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney General provided further justification why the defendants should be held responsible and accountable.
The seven defendants have asked for a time frame of two to three weeks to present their rebuttals.
