The Royal Bhutan Police has taken action against ten police personnel for security lapses and failing to execute duty during the recent stabbing case at the Supreme Court. They are all transferred out of Thimphu and will also lose their seniority in the force.
According to the RBP, the actions were taken in line with its service rules.
For security reasons, people entering the courtroom are frisked at the door. However, during the recent judgment on the Trongsa land scam case at the Supreme Court, police were not observed checking people before letting them inside. And soon after the judgment, the the stabbing case happened outside the courtroom.
According to eyewitnesses, former Dzongda Lhab Dorji took out a Rambo knife and stabbed an ACC official following an altercation.
The Thimphu police division and security division were responsible for the safety at the Supreme Court. The Thimphu police division reached late to pick up the convicts after the judgment. Police say it was due to lack of proper coordination between the police and judiciary.
According to the police, it is not only the responsibility of the police but also the judiciary. A proper handover of convicts was not carried out. They said the Supreme Court should call the officers as per the severity of the case.
Meanwhile, the police have forwarded the case at the Supreme Court involving Lhab Dorji, his wife and three children to the Office of the Attorney General earlier this week.
Pema Seldon Tshering
Edited by Sonam