The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Afight over Nu 500 between the two cousins led to the killing of a 53-year-old man in the evening of April 16 at Dongkopji of Kazi gewog under Wangduephodrang.
On that unfortunate evening, the two cousins had a verbal argument over Nu 500. The 17-year- old boy had borrowed Nu 500 from the 29-year-old man. Unable to return the money back, the two broke into fist fights.
Present during the time of the incident was the father and two brothers of the 17-year-old boy.
The 45-year-old father and the two brothers, aged19 and 14, had caught the 29-year-old man by his hand while the 17-year-old battered him and the 14-year¬old pelted stones at the victim.
It is reported that the 17-year-old later met the 53-year-old father of the victim who was in a drunken state near his house.
Without a word, the boy used a wooden block to hit the 53-year-old man on his head. The incident took place at around 7:30 pm.
The crime was witnessed by a 73-year¬old woman from the same village. She then shouted for help and called the villagers and neighbors at the scene.
The 29-year-old victim and his injured father were rushed to Bajothang hospital which is about one and half hour drive from the village.
Upon conducting an X-ray, it was found that the 53-year-old man’s skull was fractured. He was immediately referred to JDWNR hospital in Thimphu for further treatment.
However, the man succumbed to his injuries on the way to Thimphu, at Lamperi below Dochula, at around 1:00 am.
During the same night, the 17-year-old along with his father and two brothers were detained by the police.
The charges are yet to be framed although police said the 17-year-old suspect might be charged for voluntary manslaughter, a second degree felony amounting to a prison term of minimum nine years and maximum of which shall be less than 15 years.
However, the suspect, being a minor, might be slapped half the sentence of the actual prison term.
While the suspect’s father and his two brothers might be charged for the offence of battery.
The 17-year-old suspect and the 29-year old victim are related on the maternal side.
The police are still investigating the case.
