The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Accused is a BTP MP
The mother of a 16-year-old girl who accused a Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) Member of Parliament (MP) of molestation has provided an account of the traumatic incident. This exposure sheds new light on the events and the profound impact on her daughter’s mental health.
Two years ago, in Trongsa, the MP, then serving as an administrative officer, allegedly molested the girl when she was 14 years old. The accused was living with his sister and working as a gewog administration officer in Nubi Gewog at the time.
The victim’s mother described her daughter as a normal teenager with no signs of mental health issues before the tragedy. However, following the incident, the girl’s mental state began to deteriorate. This deterioration persisted both at her current school and her former one.
Recently, the victim lost consciousness in Trongsa, prompting her mother to rush to her side. Unable to reach her in time, the mother’s sister went to get her. At the Trongsa hospital, the victim revealed that she was molested by the administrative officer two years back.
She was then referred for treatment and counselling to JDWNRH where her case became known to The Pema Secretariat. It was after this the police got involved. The trauma from this incident continues to affect her sanity, as confirmed by medical professionals.
Attempts to report the incident to the police were allegedly thwarted by the accused’s family members. The mother expressed her frustration and said, “We were going to report the incident right away but they blocked our way, standing in between.”
During a confrontation with the MP’s family, it became evident that most of those present were his relatives residing near the premises. These relatives included his sister, his uncle’s son, and his brother. The tension escalated as the victim’s mother questioned the MP’s actions.
According to the mother, the MP’s family defended him, asserting that he had not forcibly raped the girl. Instead, they claimed he had only made verbal remarks and touched her daughter.
The mother said, “The MP then an administrative officer denied the accusations, stating that he had merely advised the victim to seek medical attention.”
During the confrontation, the mother directly confronted the MP, questioning why he had visited her home since it was so unlike him to do so. She accused him of attempting to rape her daughter. The MP’s sister intervened, urging the family not to escalate the situation further. In Dzongkha, she cautioned against “igniting a massive fire from a small spark.”
Following the traumatic event, the daughter expressed a strong desire to leave Trongsa. In response, the family relocated her and her siblings to different schools, opting for boarding schools. The daughter’s mental health suffered significantly, making it impossible for her to face the administrative officer on any grounds.
The mother revealed that they were given a laptop by the accused during this period. Concerned for her daughter’s well-being, she decided to keep the laptop, fearing something may be done to her daughter if she did not accept the laptop.
Events before, during, and after the time of the alleged molestation
According to the mother, the administrative officer (now the MP) allegedly ordered her eldest son whom he accused of eating chicken, and discarding the bones in a drain, to go out and clean the drain. The boy went to check the drain, but to his surprise, no bones were found in the drain.
The mother said, “When he returned to report that no bones remained in the drain, he witnessed a distressing scene. My son saw the MP on top of my daughter and she was sobbing.”
The mother further said, “Both of my children have confirmed this account during the investigation. My daughter specified that, while she was not raped, she went through a deeply horrifying and distressing experience. The administrative officer forcibly groped her under her shirt, despite her repeated pleas for him to stop.”
The incident became known to the victim’s previous school a week later. When the daughter tearfully confided in her teachers the school administration was faced with a difficult decision, and was also outraged with the incident reported to them. However, the school did not press any charges and left it up to the family.
The mother said that she and her husband felt powerless due to the accused’s wealth and connections. Fear of retaliation from influential individuals prevented them from reporting the incident promptly.
Unfortunately, her previous school could offer little assistance due to its lack of authority. As a result, the family decided to transfer her to a boarding school.
In the wake of a viral post about the sexual abuse allegations against the MP, questions have arisen regarding the family’s motives and timing. Critics suggest that the family is attempting to defame the MP, especially since they reported the incident two years after it occurred. When asked about this, the victim’s mother vehemently denied any such intention.
The mother’s said, “How can it be possible? The accused MP has a wife and two to three children. We never intended to report the case. It was only later, when our daughter was referred to Thimphu, that the authority discovered the truth.”
Interestingly, the MP’s sister has reached out to the victim’s mother twice. However, the mother explained the situation and requested her to meet with higher officials if she had anything more to say or request.
The mother said, “We did not file a case with the intention of defaming anyone. The references led us to this point.”
The mother said that the victim’s mental state has deteriorated significantly since the incident. The victim has expressed suicidal thoughts, frequently saying she wants to end her life, which led to her medical referral to Thimphu.
When asked about her expectations from the ongoing investigation, the mother’s pain is palpable. She struggled to articulate a response holding back her tears, emphasizing the emotional toll this ordeal has taken on her and her family.
Update on alleged child molestation case
According to an official from the Royal Bhutan Police, the MP has been accused of child molestation. The MP is currently denying all allegations and has not been formally charged. He was arrested and brought before the Trongsa court on the 25 July, and was granted bail on the same day.
The police official confirmed parts of the mother’s account, noting that the victim’s brother was present during the incident, but the police said that they cannot provide a definitive account as the investigation is still going on. The official also confirmed that the MP had given the family an old HP model laptop. However, the MP claimed it was intended to help the children and not for any inappropriate purpose, as suggested by the mother. The police have not yet asked the mother why she accepted the laptop, and are unsure if the device has been tampered with, as it is currently in police custody.
The police contacted the former principal of the victim’s school, who confirmed that the school had been informed about the case by the victim’s friend. The school, realizing the issue was beyond its jurisdiction, advised the parents to file a complaint with the police if the allegations were true.
When asked if schools are responsible for reporting such allegations, the official said, “We are looking into it. Although we have a failure to report a crime charge, we cannot yet determine if it applies in this situation. Currently, we have only collected verbal statements.”
The official emphasized that it is mandatory for any witness to a crime to report it as a responsible citizen. The police have not yet fully pursued the case due to a Parliamentary Act related to the MP. As per the Act, MPs cannot be summoned 15 days prior to and 15 days after a Parliamentary Session.
The police verified parts of the mother’s statement with The Bhutanese, confirming that the victim’s brother was asked to retrieve bones thrown in a drain and saw the suspect holding the victim’s hand upon his return. The MP, however, denies any such incident occurred.
The police contacted a family member of the suspect, who expressed disbelief that their brother could commit such an act.
The police are still investigating why the mother accepted the laptop. The suspect claimed that when he went to retrieve a broom from the house, the door was open, and he saw more than one child on the bed, covered head to toe with a blanket. He reportedly pulled the blanket off and asked why they were still sleeping, then took the broom from the veranda and left.
The police confirmed that the victim’s brother was watching TV while the victim was asleep during the incident. They also noted that the victim’s condition has improved since the incident and that the family has moved out of their previous residence. The children have been sent to a boarding school.
The victim was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following her referral to Thimphu.
The investigation is still ongoing.
The Bhutanese contacted the MP and gave him several opportunities to clarify but he did not do so.
