The Time-Bound Bench of the Judiciary has sentenced Phajo Nidup to more than 21 years in prison for bribery, deceptive practices, and forgery among others. The bench passed 17 criminal case judgments involving the 38-year-old man from Paro yesterday after a two-day proceeding. The bench was established in September 2022 following an executive order by the Chief Justice to deliver judgements effectively recognising the interlinked nature of most cases.
Phajo Nidup was sentenced to almost nine years (8 years 11 months and 29 days) for bribery, about three years (2 years 11 months and 29 days) for deceptive practices, nearly five years (4 years 11 months 29 days) for forgery, more than two years (2 years 8 months) for tampering with documents, and one and a half year for solicitation.
However, according to the Media and Communication Unit of the Judiciary, out of the total sentence, almost 15 and a half years (15 years 5 months 28 days) prison term will be considered a felony while the rest will be subject to Thrimthue.
The Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation found that Phajo Nidup obtained 102 OD Loans and Transport Loans from various banks between 2016 and 2019, amounting to more than Nu 785 M, with 82 of these loans turning into Non-Performing Loans in 2022. Thereafter, investigations were carried out by the agencies concerned.
49 individuals, including bank officials, civil servants, and private businesses, have been sentenced in connection with Phajo Nidup cases yesterday.
Two officials of the Phuentsholing Thromde, Deki and Chimi Lhaden were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to five years for bribery, abuse of functions and tampering with documents.
Further, two officials of Phuentsholing Dungkhag, Sonam Rabgay, and Lhamo Dema were sentenced to more than two years respectively. They will have to restitute Nu 20,000 each to the state for bribery and abuse of functions.
Three officials of the National Land Commission, Damchoe Lhendup, Rinchen Dorji, and Tsheten Dorji were given prison terms ranging from one and a half years and almost three years for bribery, abuse of functions and solicitation.
Two police officials, Thukten Choezang and Karma Thinley were given sentences ranging between more than two and almost five years for bribery, tampering with documents, offence related to witness and abuse of functions. They will have to restitute Nu 360,000 and 231,900 respectively.
Likewise, among two officials of the erstwhile Road Safety and Transport Authority implicated, Nado was sentenced to more than eight years (8 years and 5 months) of which three and a half years is a felony and the rest will be subject to Thrimthue. He was convicted of bribery and abuse of functions. While Nitra Prasad Karki who was initially charged for tampering with public records was acquitted with an instruction to take administrative actions by the agency.
Two employees of the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan, Neten Tshering and Sonam Dargay were sentenced to one year and one and a half years respectively for abuse of functions.
Meanwhile, nine employees of the Druk Punjab Bank, former CEO Devendra Kumar Gupta, Deputy CEO Ash Bdr Rai, Arun Putu Siri, Yonten Dorji, Tilak Chan Gimiri, Sherab Gyeltshen, Thuji Zangpo, Kezang Phuntsho, and Tshering were given imprisonment terms ranging from one year to three years for mostly being involved in abuse of functions.
Similarly, six employees of the Bank of Bhutan, Tashi Tenzin, Dorji Wangchuk, Til Bdr Gurung, Karma Yezer, Kezang Tashi, and Tek Bdr Tiwari will have to serve prison terms ranging between one year to almost seven years for bribery, official misconduct, and abuse of functions.
Similarly, two employees of the Bhutan National Bank, Lobzang Nima and Kinley Dorji were sentenced to more than four years (4 years 2 months, and 4 years 6 months respectively) for bribery and abuse of functions.
Meanwhile, two employees of Bhutan Development Bank Limited, Tandin Dorji and Yeshi K Tshering were sentenced to more than two years for bribery and abuse of functions.
An employee of T-Bank, Ashok Subba was sentenced to more than a year for official misconduct.
Four employees of Zimbi Motors, Sangay Rabten, Sanjiv Nirola, Sagar Gurung, and Sangay Yonten were given sentences ranging from one year to four years for cases primarily involving forgery.
12 private individuals, Dawa Zangpo, Leki Khandu, Raju Upreeti, Karma Tenzin, Jigme, Kinley Wangdi, Tshering Wangyel, Choten Dorji, Chandra Bdr Ghalley, Leki Dorji, Karma Tenzin, Karma Nidup and Madhan Lama were sentenced to prison terms ranging between more than a month to three years for forgery, deceptive practice, aiding and abetting, reporting of false information, bribery and participating in the offence. Whereas, a private individual named Choten Dorji was acquitted of fraudulent cheque writing.
The Time-Bound Bench saw 104 cases concerning Phajo Nidup in the period of more than a year.
However, the rendering of judgments in Phajo Nidup’s civil cases has been temporarily suspended as criminal elements appeared to be involved in nearly all civil matters.
According to the Judiciary, the hearing of civil cases including loan cases involving Phajo Nidup and others will be resuming soon following the completion of the judgments in the criminal cases. The civil judgments will focus on recoveries of the amount.
Meanwhile, the parties involved who are dissatisfied with the judgment from the Time-Bound Bench can appeal to the High Court.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Kipchu and Tshering Zam
