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Appeals made by ‘Rapper Cutie’ and Kelden
The High Court on 27th August 2026 has fully upheld the Paro Dzongkhag Court’s judgment in Paro stabbing case, dismissing the appeals filed by Dorji Genzin, popularly known as ‘Rapper Cutie’, and Kelden Dorji.
The judgment confirms the convictions and sentences imposed by the Paro Dzongkhag Court from 10th July 2026.
Kelden Dorji had appealed the judgment on 23rd July 2026, while Dorji Genzin filed his appeal on 17th July 2026.
In his appeal, Dorji Genzin argued that the prosecution failed to produce evidence proving that he had used a weapon or personally inflicted injuries on the victim.
He maintained that his role was limited to intervening in an attempt to de-escalate the confrontation and prevent further harm.
He also contended that the prosecution failed to submit video footage of the altercation between the victim and his friends, which he claimed would have demonstrated that the victim had provoked the confrontation and established the true sequence of events.
He alleged that the investigation was inadequate and one-sided.
Further, he argued that a seven-year prison sentence could not be based on assumptions or inferences in the absence of corroborating evidence showing that he used a weapon.
Meanwhile, Kelden Dorji appealed seeking the minimum sentence permitted under the law.
However, the High Court rejected both appeals and upheld the Paro Dzongkhag Court’s findings and sentences in their entirety.
The case stems from a series of four related incidents that occurred on the night of 7th December 2025 involving the same group of individuals.
The events began with an altercation inside a club in Paro, followed by separate confrontations outside the venue, including a chase through Paro town captured in a widely circulated video.
The most serious incident occurred later that night when Tashi Tshering was stabbed.
In its judgment, the Paro Dzongkhag Court found that Kelden Dorji intentionally used a katana sword against Tashi Tshering, causing permanent disability to the victim’s left index finger, the right ring and little fingers.
The court ruled that although the victim survived because bystanders intervened, the repeated use of the weapon demonstrated an intention to cause serious bodily injury.
Kelden Dorji was convicted of criminal attempt to voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to eight years and ten months’ imprisonment.
After deducting one month and 23 days spent in detention, he was ordered to serve the remaining eight years, eight months and nine days.
The court also found Dorji Genzin equally liable, concluding that he actively assisted Kelden Dorji in chasing, pursuing and attacking the victim.
The court held that their joint actions amounted to criminal attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter and observed that, had pedestrians not intervened, the victim would likely have been killed.
Dorji Genzin was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment.
After deducting 23 days spent in detention, he was ordered to serve six years, 11 months and seven days.
Besides the two principal accused, eight others were convicted for offences arising from the same night’s incidents.
The court also found that the victim had grabbed Dorji Genzin by the chest during the initial confrontation at a club and later made hostile Messenger voice calls.
It held that these actions constituted the initial provocation and met the legal elements of assault.
He was ordered to pay a fine of Nu 11,250.
