On 4 May 2021, Penjore put up a post on his personal Facebook page on the Bank National Bank (BNB) recruitment case asking for the resignation of the Attorney General. The post did not attract much attention. However, Penjore was arrested and detained on 6 May 2021, based on a …

The Sherubtse Harassment Case is not just about one educational institution, but it is the story of a culture of sexual harassment in educational institutions, and how even when victims gather the courage to complain, the issue is either buried or the perpetrators are often let off lightly. It is …

From March 2021 onwards The Bhutanese did a series of stories showing a large difference in the price of Gypsum sold by the State Mining Corporation Limited (SMCL) to middlemen, the price in Nepal, illegal cash collected from Gypsum transporters, and other issues. Initially, a person had filed a written …

On 16 February 2021, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) detained the Supreme Court Justice Kuenlay Tshering (Elephant Bench or Bench 1) and Pemagatshel Dzongkhag Drangpon Yeshey Dorji, following the earlier detention of the former Royal Body Guard (RBG) Commandant Brigadier Thinley Tobgay, in a criminal conspiracy case. It was initially …

The Bhutanese takes a look back the year 2021 with a critical eye through its news breaks, critical stories and investigations. Lockdown January The year 2021 started with the second national lockdown still on after a 25-year-old woman tested positive in a Thimphu flu clinic on 20th December. There were …

On 20 December 2020 Thimphu Thromde went into a lockdown after a 25-year-old female tested positive for COVID-19 at the JDWNRH Flu Clinic. Soon enough, more community transmission cases of COVID-19 were detected in multiple dzongkhags, and the nation went into its second lockdown national lockdown, with Thimphu being locked …

In countries with poor regulatory checks and weak ethical systems, Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects often end up in controversy. Bhutan’s first PPP, in the form of Thimphu Thromde’s Multi-Level Car Park (MLCP), has been mired in controversial decisions, unexplained ballooning figures, huge loans with questionable collateral, and clear attempts …

Starting in mid and late 2020 Bhutanese exports of vegetables and fruits started facing a lot of issues and problems with the Customs and Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) in India demanding paper works and formal documentation. The government, at the time, said the issues were due to the formalization of …

An agency bought computers and office equipment worth Nu.1.52 million from a firm owned by close relatives of the official by prescribing specific preferences in bid evaluation and award. Another agency awarded the contract for supply and installation of cubicles to a firm worth Nu.3.79 million. The firm was owned …

The 114th National Day Royal Address of His Majesty The King had several aspects and parts, but there was no mistaking the central message of His Majesty The King in asking and commanding for accountability in matters of service to the nation, if Bhutan and its people are ever to …