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6 individuals arrested
The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) has arrested six individuals, including two suspected receivers of stolen property, in connection with a series of chorten vandalism cases reported across multiple dzongkhags between January and May this year.
Police said the arrests are following months of investigation into offences involving Ku-Sung-Thuk-Ten (Zung), with at least 23 reported incidents of chorten vandalism recorded in Thimphu, Punakha, Paro and Dagana.
Police said the suspects have so far confessed to vandalizing chortens in Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang (including some cold cases).
According to police, the four main suspects were intercepted on 15th May 2026 during a joint operation carried out by the Central Thimphu Police Station and South Thimphu Police Station while conducting vehicle inspections at odd hours.
Police said the suspects initially attempted to flee after being found in possession of antiques, including a Thro (bowl) and Zi (Cat’s Eye). However, officials closed all possible escape routes and apprehended them.
Upon searching the vehicle, investigators recovered religious artifacts and antiques, including a Thro, Zi and digging bar (Changa).
Further searches conducted at the suspects’ residences led to the seizure of additional religious items allegedly stolen from chortens.
The arrested suspects were identified as a 32-year-old private driver currently residing in Taba, Thimphu; a 30-year-old farmer from Wangdue Phodrang; a farmer (44) residing in Wangdue Phodrang; and an unemployed man (42) from Wangdue Phodrang.
Police also arrested two antique dealers, aged 49 and 37, who are suspected of receiving stolen religious property from the group.
Police described the operation as an organized syndicate.
Police said the four suspects had reportedly created a WhatsApp group where they discussed ideas related to vandalism, explored traditional lhakhangs and chortens online, and planned future activities.
Police said evidence collected during the investigation included stolen artifacts recovered from the suspects, tools allegedly used in the crimes, and confessions from those arrested.
In the course of investigation, the four suspects as of 22nd May, 2026 have confessed to vandalizing 23 Chortens including Wangdue Phodrang ones. Regarding the Lungtenzampa Chorten vandalism, they have denied it including in Paro and Dagana.
Police also said that over 1,000 incoming and outgoing vehicles were reviewed through CCTV footage collected from various locations, including Chunzom Check Post, Hongtsho Immigration point and CCTV control rooms.
CCTV footage from areas surrounding the crime scenes was also examined to track suspicious vehicle and individual movements.
According to police, the investigation team had formed a dedicated unit to conduct surveillance, highway checks and patrolling during odd hours after receiving reports of repeated chorten vandalism incidents.
In Thimphu alone, police recorded 10 incidents of chorten vandalism under the jurisdictions of the Central and South Thimphu Police Stations.
The cases included three chortens below the Welcome Gate in Babesa, one in Gepjikha near Babesa Primary School, one each in Namseling and Danglo, two in Sekana under Mewang Gewog, and two below Lungtenzampa near the Traffic Office.
Police further reported three incidents in Punakha involving four vandalized chortens.
Cases were also reported in Paro and Dagana, although police said investigations into those incidents are still ongoing.
Several religious artifacts and antiques were seized during the operation.
The recovered items included Zi beads, large, medium and Thro, a Dem statue, Chana Dorje statue, a traditional knife (pata), a kettle or lamp, Phup and Dorji, along with tools such as a digging bar (changa).
Police urged the public to remain vigilant and help protect chortens and lhakhangs in their communities.
Police also encouraged residents to install functional CCTV cameras, stating that surveillance footage had played a crucial role in detecting and preventing crime.
Police further reminded the public to verify the source of any property before purchasing antiques or religious items, warning that individuals found receiving stolen property could also face charges.
Under the Penal Code of Bhutan, a person shall be guilty of an offence against Ku, Sung, Thuk-Ten or Zung if the person removes a Zung from a Chorten or religious statue, commits larceny of Ku, Sung, Thuk-Ten or Zung of antique value from a Lhakhang, Dzong, Chorten, Museum or dwelling place, or vandalizes any Ten Suum.
The offence is classified as a felony of the first degree with a life imprisonment term.
