The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In the recent Norbuling Rigter College (NRC) assault case leaving the victim with brain damage, police said that during interrogation the suspect claimed he was experiencing hallucinations and believed the victim and his friends intended to harm him. Police said the alleged suspect’s statement has been consistent. However, police said that his claim cannot be accepted without any scientific proof.
He has been referred for psychiatric evaluation, and the results are awaited.
Furthermore, police said that they are also working to retrieve chat histories from the phones of both the main suspect and the alleged accomplice, which they say will be crucial in determining whether there was any coordination or pre-planning, as the victim’s family claims.
Police sources said that CCTV footage from the college and surrounding areas shows the main alleged suspect operating alone on the night of the incident.
They added that without clear evidence, they cannot detain or charge another individual.
The main suspect, currently in custody, is also under investigation for a series of related incidents that occurred on the same night.
Police said that prior to the assault, the suspect allegedly caused damage at a residence and attacked multiple vehicles, including a police vehicle, using a rod. The suspect had reportedly been in an intoxicated state.
Police said that the initial complaint was made by the 35-year-old man whom the victim’s family alleges to be the mastermind of the attack.
Police shared that before the assault incident, they initially received a complaint from the alleged accomplice stating that the main suspect (23-year-old), in his intoxicated state, was breaking things and windows in his rental residence, which happened to be the house of the alleged accomplice, at around midnight.
The neighbours had locked the main door of the house, which he broke free from.
After the complaint, police were on their way to attend the case. Before reaching the location, the main suspect, who had broken free from the house, attacked the police vehicle with a rod.
It was also learnt that prior to attacking the police vehicle, he had attacked two private vehicles.
Then, after the vehicle attack, he went to the college to attack the victim.
The family of the assault victim (22) has alleged that the second alleged suspect, whom they describe as the “mastermind,” remains free despite what they say is the victim’s position as a prime eyewitness.
This development comes after The Bhutanese’s coverage of the brutal hostel assault that left a 22-year-old first-year student with brain damage and loss of speech, and a subsequent story where another victim came forward describing a similar pattern of violence in the same college, leading him to drop out.
The recent victim’s mother said her son has now been discharged from the hospital and is undergoing follow-up treatment on alternate days. While there has been slight improvement in his condition, recovery remains slow.
“Earlier he was in a wheelchair. Now he can walk slowly with the support of a stick,” she said.
She said that her son, who had earlier lost his ability to speak after the attack, has begun to regain speech, though his words remain unclear and difficult to understand.
The family continues to raise concerns over what they believe is a pre-planned attack involving more than one person.
“My son is the prime eyewitness. Now that his speech has come back a little, he clearly described the incident to us.”
According to her, the victim stated that he saw the alleged accomplice break open the door, after which the main suspect carried out the attack.
She said that he might not have been captured on CCTV footage which the police obtained, as he could have entered from another side where there are no cameras.
The family also pointed to a message allegedly sent by the accomplice to the victim’s friend just hours after the incident, sharing details that the victim had been hospitalised and cautioning that the main suspect was ‘wild’ and looking for him.
“If he was not involved, how would he know what happened at midnight when my son was attacked and afterwards hospitalised?” she questioned.
The victim’s uncle echoed similar concerns, maintaining that the attack was premeditated.
He said the timing of the incident during the Paro Tshechu holidays, when most students were away, raises further suspicion.
“The attacker knew my nephew had returned to the hostel. That means someone informed him. There is clearly more to this,” he said.
The family also expressed disappointment with the college’s response, stating that no disciplinary action has been taken against the alleged accomplice, who was reportedly allowed to sit for examinations.
According to them, the college informed the family that action can only be taken after police findings on his involvement are concluded.
The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) said that, so far, there is no evidence linking the second alleged suspect to the initial assault.
Police said that they cannot establish involvement without clear evidence and therefore cannot detain the alleged accomplice. However, all angles, including the victim’s claim and the alleged accomplice, are being looked into.
The investigation is ongoing, and police said findings will determine the probable charges before the case is forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General. So far, malicious mischief will be separately charged for the vehicle damage by the main alleged suspect.
RUB steps in
Meanwhile, the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) has stepped in, expressing concern over the incident and initiating an institutional review.
RUB shared that it has sent an inquiry team to NRC to assess the situation and ensure appropriate measures are being taken.
It said that issues related to student discipline, campus operations, and safety management fall under the responsibility of individual colleges, as NRC is a private affiliated institution.
The University stated that it maintains zero tolerance for violence and is reviewing the college’s processes, including safety protocols, reporting mechanisms, and response systems.
RUB said that it will be meeting with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to clarify governance and regulatory oversight of private colleges under the National Education Policy 2025.
The college said that since the matter is currently under police investigation, they are unable to share any information until they receive the official report.
Regarding the similar assault case of last year involving a 20-year-old victim, the case is currently with the OAG.
Police forwarded the case on 6 October 2025, involving five alleged suspects with probable charges of aggravated battery.
Police sources said that they are all on bail, and one was recently arrested again in a separate battery case.
