Deliberating the Anti-Corruption Report 2019, the National Assembly’s Good Governance Committee proposed designating or establishing a separate bench for corruption cases. A separate bench is expected to address the issue of prolonged trial for corruption cases.
The Anti-Corruption Commission recorded 50 cases in 2019 compared to 39 cases in 2018. This is an increase of 28.2 per cent. Of the 50 cases, ACC forwarded 13 cases to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution.
“Even if the judiciary cannot establish a separate bench for corruption cases, one of the benches in the district courts should be designated for such cases. Most of the district courts have two benches,” said Ugyen Wangdi, a member of the Good Governance Committee.
“If there is a separate bench for corruption cases, the legal proceedings will be faster. Moreover, the proceedings including the judgment of the corruption cases will be also uniform,” added Dorji Wangdi, the Opposition Leader.
However, some members did not support the recommendation.
“I feel that corruption cases should be prioritized by the judiciary. If a separate bench is designated, we need to think about whether it will be only in Thimphu or in other districts and whether a separate judge needs to be sent,” said Yeshey Penjor, the Agriculture Minister.
“There is no need for a separate bench. Prioritizing the need to deal with the corruption cases will help expedite the legal proceedings,” added Kinley Wangchuk, the Athang-Thedtsho MP.
Meanwhile, the house endorsed the recommendation. The National Assembly will continue its deliberation tomorrow.
KW/PST/TZ
