The Wangdue Phodrang District Court sentenced a 33-year-old man to 15 years in prison for stealing an antique from a private temple in Kazhi Gewog. The court passed the judgment last Tuesday.
According to the judgment, the convict stole a Guru Kuthang or Thangka painting measuring 3.5 feet X 5 feet a few years back. But the owner did not report the case immediately as they tried to compromise mutually. After failing to recover the stolen antique, the owner reported the matter to the police in July last year. The owner also accused the convict of stealing similar items from his temple. However, the convict denied this accusation in court.
As per the Penal Code, an offence against ‘Ku, Sung, Thuk-Ten or Zung’ is a felony of the first degree with a prison term of 15 years to life.
Meanwhile, sources say the convict has appealed to the High Court.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sonam
