The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Thimphu District Court on 30th September 2026 sentenced the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) President Tandy Wangchuk to two years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of battery and sexual harassment involving three women at a club in Thimphu.
The court found that Tandy Wangchuk punched one of the victims in the face, causing grievous injuries to her teeth.
It also found that he engaged in unwelcome sexual conduct towards three women, including the battery victim, at a club in Thimphu on 16th April 2026.
The court found the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt, rejecting accused’s defence that the injury was accidental and that the victims had initiated the sexual contact.
Incident at the club
According to the prosecution, on 16th April 2026, at approximately 10:50 pm, Tandy Wangchuk was at the club in Thimphu, where the three women were also present.
The prosecution said that the accused provided liquor to the group before accompanying the complainants to the smoking area.
While there, he allegedly attempted to touch one of the women without her consent. He was further alleged to have grabbed the hands of two women and attempted to place their hands on his private parts.
The prosecution also alleged that he exposed himself and made sexual propositions involving money and employment. According to the prosecution, Tandy offered the victim who sustained dental injuries employment as a housekeeper in Phuentsholing for Nu 25,000 per month and Nu 10,000 to sleep with him. The other woman was allegedly offered between Nu 10,000 and Nu 15,000 to sleep with him.
The prosecution stated that the two women felt unsafe and moved towards a separate room.
The accused then followed the victim who sustained dental injuries to the DJ room and punched her in the mouth and nose, causing injuries to her teeth.
The incident was subsequently reported to the club owner and later to the police.
Statements were recorded from the victims and other people present at the club, and the investigation also relied on medical evidence and other materials.
Court’s findings on battery
The court found Tandy Wangchuk guilty of battery under Section 158 of the Penal Code of Bhutan 2004, with the injury classified as grievous hurt.
The court considered CCTV footage, the medical report, statements from the victims and witnesses, and accused’s own statement.
The CCTV footage showed the accused following the victim who sustained dental injuries into the DJ room and a subsequent confrontation, although it did not clearly capture the punch.
The court also considered a few other witness statements which placed the accused and victim to the DJ room during the confrontation and described the accused punching her in the face, followed by victim throwing a microphone battery towards him.
A medical examination conducted on 17th April 2026 recorded a laceration to the upper inner lip, Grade III mobility of the upper right central incisor and Grade II mobility of the upper left central incisor.
The accused maintained that he did not intentionally strike the victim.
He stated that she had thrown an object at him and that, while attempting to dodge it, his elbow accidentally struck her. He argued that the injury was accidental.
However, the court did not find his explanation reasonable and concluded that he had followed the victim to DJ room and punched her in the mouth and nose, causing grievous injury to her teeth.
Court’s findings on sexual harassment
The court also found Tandy Wangchuk guilty of sexual harassment under Section 205 of the Penal Code.
The court found that he engaged in unwelcome sexual conduct towards three women including the victim who sustained dental injuries.
The conduct included unwanted physical contact, attempts to move the women’s hands towards his private parts, exposure of his private parts, and propositions involving money or employment in exchange for sexual conduct.
In reaching its finding, the court considered statements from the three victims, other witnesses and the accused.
The court also considered the accused’s statement, in which he admitted asking for the club owner’s contact number and offering the women employment in Phuentsholing. He further admitted that the victims had touched his private parts and that physical contact occurred during the subsequent argument.
However, he denied sexually harassing or assaulting the victims.
He contended that the women had touched his private parts and initiated physical conduct towards him.
He also maintained that the allegations were unsubstantiated and that witnesses present at the karaoke bar could testify regarding the complainants’ conduct.
The court considered the defence evidence alleging that the victims had initiated the sexual contact but found the prosecution’s evidence, including the victims’ accounts and corroborating witness statements, sufficient to establish the conduct beyond reasonable doubt.
Tandy further stated that any attempt to settle the matter was not an admission of guilt but was motivated by concerns about his professional reputation.
He maintained that he had no guilty intention in relation to the battery or sexual conduct and sought acquittal.
Sentence and compensation
The court sentenced Tandy to two years’ imprisonment, with the term to run concurrently.
The judgment also provides for the option of paying the applicable fine or thrimthue in lieu of imprisonment under Section 28 of the Penal Code, which is calculated based on the applicable daily minimum wage rate.
Regarding compensation, the court ordered that the victims be compensated, in accordance with a negotiated settlement dated 28th September 2026.
The victim who sustained dental injuries had claimed Nu 500,000 for her dental injuries, while the other woman victim claimed Nu 50,000 in relation to the alleged sexual harassment.
Under the settlement, the sexual harassment victim would receive Nu 50,000 if the sexual harassment allegation was proved.
In regard to the other woman’s dental injuries, the settlement provides for compensation of Nu 300,000 if the teeth could be treated. If treatment was unsuccessful, the accused was required to bear the costs of replacement teeth and related expenses, including travel, food and accommodation where treatment outside Bhutan was required.
The court noted that the parties had already negotiated the compensation arrangements and found that it was not necessary for the court to independently determine the amount of compensation.
Accordingly, it ordered compensation in accordance with the terms and conditions of the negotiated settlement.
Meanwhile, following the court verdict, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) issued a letter on 2nd October 2026 directing the Secretary General of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) to terminate the service of BCCI President Tandy Wangchuk with immediate effect.
The letter stated, “The Government considers that its continued association with the Chamber carries with it an expectation that the Chamber maintains the highest standards of institutional integrity, accountability and public confidence.”
