RBP chargesheets two men in their 30s for attempt to rape and battery case to OAG

On 22nd July 2025, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) Paro forwarded the attempt to rape and battery case involving two men in their 30s to the Office of Attorney General (OAG).

The two men, a 31-year-old bus driver and 39-year-old army personnel, during the early hours of 11th June 2025, attempted to rape a 27-year-old woman in Bondey, Paro. The victim and her 28-year-old boyfriend were at a karaoke bar when the two suspects, who were strangers to the couple, reportedly approached them aggressively and disturbed their space, attempting to provoke a fight.

To avoid further confrontation, the couple decided to leave only to be followed by the suspects and the boyfriend getting physically assaulted. While, the boyfriend ran in fear for his life, the suspects dragged the victim towards a nearby river and allegedly attempted to undress her.

Though a passerby who witnessed the incident tried intervening, he was severely beaten by the suspects. He had to undergo a jaw surgery and is currently in a stable condition.

With prompt reporting by the boyfriend, Bondey police immediately responded by arriving at the scene of crime and arrested the suspects, preventing the crime from escalating further.

It is confirmed that no rape has occurred, as supported by both the medical examination and the victim’s statement.

The bus driver is currently in police custody, while the army personnel is being held by the Royal Bhutan Army in its own prison for further investigation.

Once the chargesheet is done the army personnel will also be handed over the police.

As per the Penal Code of Bhutan (PCB) for the offense of criminal attempt to rape, there are three sections such as section 120, 134 and 177.

Section 120 which is criminal attempt states that a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of an attempt to commit a crime, if the defendant: (a) Acts with the culpability required for commission of a crime; and (b) Engages in a conduct or an omission, which constitutes the commission of the crime.

Section 134 which is grading of criminal attempt, solicitation and criminal conspiracy states that unless the defendant who is guilty of the offence of criminal attempt, solicitation, or criminal conspiracy shall be liable to (a) Third degree felony, if the offence is of first and second degree felony; or (b) Half the penalty awarded to the person, who had committed the crime, if the offence is of third degree felony, fourth degree felony, misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor.

Further, section 177 which is on rape states that a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of rape, if the defendant commits any act of sexual intercourse whatever its nature against other person.

The offence of rape shall be a felony of the third degree.

This means that since it is attempted rape if the two are found guilty the sentence will be half the sentence for rape.

As for battery, section 158 of PCB states that a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of battery, if the defendant purposely uses physical force of an adverse nature on another person. 

 The offence of battery shall be a petty misdemeanour or a misdemeanour, if aggravated circumstances is present.