The Penal Code of Bhutan 2011 should be reviewed, especially section 183, say the petition put up by the people of Dagana through Drukjeygang-Tseza MP, Karma Dorji.
PCB’s section 183 states a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of rape of a child above the age of 12 years, if the defendant has sexual intercourse with a child between the ages of 12 to 18 years.
The petition put up to the National Assembly says if a man has a consensual sex with a woman below 18 and above 16 years, and if a woman later submits a complaint to the court, the man is penalised as per the provision of the court.
“This is felt to be unfair on the person accused of the act.”
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However, most parliamentarians section 183 should remain as it is.
The Works and Human Settlement Minister, Dorji Choden, said the penal code was amended in 2011 and in the amended law; section 183 is allows fair judgment.
After a lengthy deliberation, majority of the MPs raised their hand to show support to section 183 of the PCB. The Lower House decided that the Penal Code of Bhutan 2011 will stay as it is.
