The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Weeks after the brutal assault at Norbuling Rigter College (NRC) left a 22-year-old student with severe brain damage and loss of speech, the case has now moved into the prosecution stage.
Paro Police, on 1st May 2026, forwarded the investigation report to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
Police sources confirmed that only the main suspect, aged 23, has been charged in the report submitted to the OAG.
According to police, the suspect was referred for psychiatric evaluation. However, the medical report did not identify any specific condition, apart from recommending a follow-up review after one month.
Drug test results for the suspect were also found to be negative.
The reporter contacted the victim’s mother after knowing that the case was forwarded to OAG, and the mother appeared surprised.
The victim’s mother said she was unaware that the case had been forwarded to the OAG, information she expected would be formally communicated to her.
She added that while she had earlier been briefed on the investigation, including findings related to the second alleged suspect, she was now surprised to learn that the report was forwarded without reflecting the second individual’s involvement.
She shared that her son, who has now regained limited speech, though still unable to speak clearly had given a statement to police recounting the incident and reportedly identifying the involvement of the second alleged suspect, aged 35.
Given this, the mother said she can only assume that a separate or independent investigation into the second alleged suspect may be ongoing.
She also expressed concern that she has not received any update from the college regarding disciplinary action against the second alleged suspect.
Meanwhile, the victim continues to struggle through a slow and difficult recovery.
More than a month after the assault, his condition has shown only slight improvement.
While he has regained some speech, he remains physically weak, requiring a walking stick for mobility and assistance even for basic daily activities such as using the toilet and bathing.
He continues to undergo physiotherapy and other treatments, visiting the hospital on alternate days.
In a grieving tone, his mother said the passage of time has only deepened the family’s distress.
“It has been over a month now,” she says.
As the case progresses legally, institutional accountability has also come into focus.
A day before the case was forwarded to the OAG, the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) convened a high-level meeting on 30th April 2026 with the promoter, president, and senior management of NRC at the Office of the Vice Chancellor.
The University expressed serious concern over the incident and underscored the college’s responsibility to ensure a safe, secure, and supportive environment for students.
RUB has received reports from the college and its internal inquiry team, even as the case remained under investigation by the Royal Bhutan Police.
Highlighting the broader implications of the case, the University noted that such incidents affect not only student welfare but also institutional integrity and public trust in the higher education system.
During the meeting, RUB issued clear directives to the College to urgently strengthen its student welfare systems, including residential supervision, mental health support, campus security, and awareness of national laws and University regulations.
The University stressed the need for preventive measures, timely response systems, and stronger institutional accountability.
It also warned that failure to provide a safe and conducive learning environment would undermine its vision of becoming a global beacon of enlightened education.
RUB further reminded NRC of its obligations under the affiliation framework, stating that failure to address these concerns or any recurrence of similar incidents could invite strict action, including a review of its affiliation status.
The College has been instructed to implement immediate corrective measures and submit a report within three months.
RUB stated that it will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, although the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has called for a meeting with RUB to discuss the matter, the meeting has yet to take place.
