The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has forwarded 27 cases to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for prosecution as per its 2023-2024 Annual Report.
Covering a wide range of corruption, financial misconduct, and illegal activities involving public servants and private individuals. The cases highlight numerous instances of embezzlement, bribery, and fraudulent practices.
13 cases forwarded to OAG in 2024
On 24th June 2024, ACC forwarded a case of misappropriation of government project funds by accounts assistant from the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource department. Charges by ACC was on embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
A case of embezzlement of government revenue and manipulation of official records by land registration assistant, Dagana on 18th June 2024. Charges were on embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant and commission amounting to abuse of function.
On 11th April 2024 two separate cases of embezzlement were referred. One involving an accounts assistant at Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Ltd, and another involving an accounts assistant in Dagana. Both are charged with embezzlement of funds or securities by a public servant.
On 10th April 2024 a case of embezzlement of funds by an accountant at Centenary Farmers’ Market was forwarded. Charges were on embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
On 1st April 2024 a case of embezzlement of government funds by an accounts assistant, Sarpang was forwarded. Charges were on embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
On 27th March 2024 an individual from the former Regional Livestock Development Centre, Tshimasham, Chhukha, faces seven charges, including passive and active bribery, commercial bribery, false claims, abuse of function, embezzlement, and participation in an offense.
On 4th March 2024 a case of embezzlement of government funds by an accounts assistant, Dagana was forwarded with the charges of embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
On 1st March 2024 a case embezzlement of government revenue by a sales representative, BTL, Samdrup Jongkhar was forwarded with the charges of embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
On 11th January 2024 a case of embezzlement of sales revenue by sales representative at profit center of BTL, Mongar. Charges were embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
On 8th January 2024 a case of collusion in the procurement of DI pipes and fittings involving M/s Nima Construction was forwarded with charges of omission amounting to abuse of function., failure to protect public property and revenue, and deceptive practice.
On 1st January 2024 two cases were referred. One involving embezzlement by a RBP accountant in Phuentsholing and another concerning abuse of function by an employee of Druk Punjab National Bank. Charges include embezzlement, abuse of function, aiding and abetting, and deceptive practices.
14 cases forwarded in 2023
On 28th December 2023 a case of embezzlement by an accounts assistant at BICMA was forwarded. Charges was on embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
On 19th December 2023 a case of deceptive practice by an official of Bhutan Insurance Ltd pertaining to the loan fraud scheme of Phajo Nidup with charges of deceptive practice and solicitation to deceptive practice was forwarded.
On 10th November 2023 a case of embezzlement of revenue generated from the sales of paper vouchers by the employees of Lhamoizhingkha cost center, BTL was forwarded. Charges were embezzlement of funds by public servant.
On 2nd November 2023 a case of corruption in contract award of the Regional Revenue & Customs base office and its staff quarters involving gewog administration officer, contractor and accountant assistant in Samtse was forwarded. Charges were passive bribery of public servant, commission amounting to abuse of function and false claim by public servant.
On 31st October 2023 a case of corruption and fraudulent commercial activities by an Indian National in collusion with few Bhutanese individuals was forwarded with charges of active commercial bribery, deceptive practice, participation in an offence and fronting.
On 18th August 2023 a case of bribery of BDBL officials in loan fraud scheme of Phajo Nidup was forwarded.
Charges were on commission amounting to abuse of functions, passive bribery of public servants, deceptive practice, and aiding and abetting.
On 17th August 2023 two cases related to the loan fraud scheme of Phajo Nidup in Phuentsholing, Chhukha was forwarded. Corrupt practices with charges of deceptive practice, official misconduct, forgery, and solicitation of forgery. This was a loan fraud scheme in T Bank Ltd with charges of deceptive practice, official misconduct, and forgery.
On 11th August 2023 a case of embezzlement by a sales representative, BTL, Haa was forwarded. Charges were on embezzlement of funds by public servant and deceptive practice.
On 10th August 2023 a case of corruption and mismanagement in northern-east-west highway construction, Trongsa was forwarded. Charges were deceptive practice, forgery and abuse of function.
On 12th July 2024 two cases of embezzlement of government funds by an accountant, Regional Immigration Office, Gelephu was forwarded with charges of embezzlement of funds or securities by a public servant and forgery. A case of embezzlement by a former salesman, Bhutan Oil Corporation, Trongsa with charges of embezzlement of funds or securities by a public servant and participation in an offense.
On 6th July 2023 a case of embezzlement by an In-Charge from telecom staff welfare fund was forwarded. Charges was on embezzlement of funds or securities by public servant.
On 3rd July 2023 a case on issuance of forged and unauthorized bank guarantee and letter of credit by an assistant development officer and assistant development officer and assistant engineer, RICB, Thimphu was forwarded. Charges were active and passive bribery of public servant, forgery, fronting and participation in an offence.
A total of 66 cases were under investigation, compared to 77 in the previous year, including 38 new cases and 28 carried over. Of these, 45 were completed, with 27 referred for prosecution, 12 for administrative actions, and six closed with no further action.
Financial restitution sought was Nu 87.364 million.
138 individuals were implicated in the cases referred for prosecution during the year, including 48 civil servants, 40 corporate employees, and 16 armed personnel. Among these, 16 individuals were implicated for embezzlement of funds or securities by public servants, followed by 15 individuals for passive bribery of public servants.
