The Bhutanese Leading the way.
A detailed forensic autopsy report has concluded that the fatal head injuries sustained by detainee Biren Kumar Kafley are most consistent with a fall from a height or from a moving vehicle, rather than an impact from a small or focused object.
This is important as it rules out that Biren was hit on the head by an object.
The findings come amid ongoing public concern and doubts raised by the deceased’s family that he was assaulted on the head while in police custody. A formal request for a full-body medico-legal autopsy was received by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at JDWNRH on 23 November 2025 from the Narcotic Drugs and Other Vices Division (NDOVD) of the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP).
According to the post-mortem examination conducted at JDWNRH, the deceased died from a severe traumatic head injury caused by high-energy blunt force impact, which resulted in irreversible brain damage and subsequent brain death. A contributory condition was identified as ventilator-associated pneumonia.
In its biomechanical assessment, the forensic team noted the absence of concentric or circular fracture patterns around the impact sites. This indicates that the head likely struck a broad, flat surface rather than a small or focused object.
The report states that the overall injury pattern is most consistent with an initial impact to the left side of the head, particularly the parietal or temporal region, followed by backward rotational movement and a secondary impact to the occiput.
Such injuries could occur in a fall from a height or from a moving vehicle.
A second possibility noted was a single high-energy blunt impact involving a broad object or occurring during a high-speed vehicular collision.
The autopsy revealed extensive injuries to the head and body.
External examination documented multiple recent blunt force injuries, including abrasions and contusions over the scalp, neck, upper limbs, right buttock, and lower limbs, observed in varying stages of healing.
These additional injuries, including bruises and abrasions on the ears, neck, torso, and limbs, were documented but assessed as non-fatal and not contributory to the cause of death.
A post-operative craniectomy wound with sutures, staples, and a surgical drain was noted in the left fronto-parieto-temporal region, corresponding to emergency neurosurgical intervention.
Subcutaneous examination showed extensive haemorrhages beneath the scalp, particularly over the left fronto-temporo-parietal, occipital, and right temporal regions, extending to the right supraorbital ridge. Additional contusions were present on the neck, forearms, and the dorsum of the right foot.
Cranial examination identified a large temporalis muscle haematoma measuring approximately 10 by 9 centimetres, along with a long linear fracture of the left parietal bone extending up to 14 centimetres towards the squamous suture. A separate linear fracture was found on the right occipital bone, extending to the skull base.
The skull base also showed suture diastasis and separation at the fronto-sphenoidal junction. Two bone defects observed in the left temporo-parietal region were confirmed to be surgically created craniectomy sites and not traumatic in origin.
Examination of the brain showed that the right hemisphere was grossly intact but markedly swollen, with diffuse subarachnoid haemorrhages and contusions. The left hemisphere exhibited residual subdural haematomas and near-complete destruction of brain tissue involving the fronto-temporal and parietal lobes. Advanced softening and liquefaction of brain tissue, described as “respirator brain,” were consistent with prolonged mechanical ventilation following irreversible brain injury.
The lungs showed signs of ventilator-associated pneumonia, which added to morbidity but did not directly cause death.
Meanwhile, the Royal Bhutan Police Headquarters has stated that its internal inquiry into procedural lapses related to the case has been completed.
According to the RBP, the matter is currently under review at the headquarters level to determine accountability.
The inquiry team, the RBP said, was constituted separately from the operational units involved, as part of efforts to ensure an independent review.
The RBP said that further actions will be guided by the findings of the review process.
