The Bhutanese Leading the way.
After sending the police to Rajen Tamang’s building basement in Damphu, Tsirang on 6th July to stop a Sunday religious gathering, the Tsirang Dzongda on 8th July replied to the 4th July letter of Rajen Tamang challenging the 2nd July final warning letter of the Dzongda, stating that the basement of the building is not being used as per the drawing and occupancy certificate issued.
The Dzongda’s letter said, “We categorically refute your interpretation of the Royal Court of Justice, Tsirang Judgment. Do not interpret based on your whims and fancies. However, if you are confused, we suggest you approach a competent authority for appropriate interpretation.”
It said, “Rather than playing the victim’s card, being ignorant, or creating false narratives, we urge you to respect and uphold the sanctity of legal documents executed between us.”
The Dzongda accused Rajen of not only not complying with the rules and regulations in place, and the legal documents executed between them, but also refusing to adhere to the terms of conditions cited in the license obtained from MoICE.
The letter said that the MoICE license has clauses 7, 8 and 10 that must be complied with. These clauses essentially say that the licensee will comply with the other Acts and laws in vogue, all other concerned clearances are obtained and the license holder will only engage in the activity as specified in the license details.
The letter insists that the basement has only been approved as a Karaoke in the drawings.
It also says, “Finally, rather than venting your grievances to us and in the media, we earnestly urge you to comply with the rules and regulations in place to avoid future complications.”
Matters did not stop with the Dzongda’s letter as Rajen received a call from the Regional Trade Office in Gelephu, which in turn had got a call from the ministry in Thimphu.
Rajen had applied and got his ‘Organization of conventions and trade shows (including Event Management)’ license online.
The Regional Trade Office said that they were informed that Rajen’s basement was a Karaoke, and he should have come through the Dzongkhag before applying for the license. He was asked to comply with the Dzongkhag’s rules.
Rajen said, “What is the point of applying for a license online if a new condition is created that it has to be via the Dzongkhag. I am not aware of such a rule.”
He also said he is not clear why the Dzongda’s letter and the trade call insists on calling his basement a Karaoke when there is a court verdict saying it is not a Karaoke, but is for commercial use.
On Friday morning, Rajen was called to the Tsirang Dzongkhag Court by a legal clerk there as the Dzongkhag had asked for the judgment to be explained. Rajen said the legal clerk read the judgment as it is, which is what he already knew.
Rajen was unable to have a gathering on 13th July Sunday in the basement, and two staff from the municipality came to check too. He held the gathering instead in his own apartment in the same building, but he said it was quite inconvenient.
When asked what he would do next, Rajen said the court verdict of 15th May 2025 found no evidence of non-compliance with the commercial occupancy certificate signed by the Dzongda for the basement. He said the certificate designates the basement for general commercial use and does not specify karaoke.
Rajen said that if they continue to prevent him from having his Sunday gatherings in the basement then he will be left with no alternative but to approach the Tsirang Dzongkhag Court to uphold its own verdict.
Rajen said apart from no legal document proving his basement to be a Karaoke, a Karaoke would create noise pollution disturbing neighbors and building residents and may even lead to fights and breaking up of families which he does not support.
Rajen said that his basement is not a Church, but only a space for gathering of people of his faith every Sunday, not disturbing anyone and this happens across Bhutan including in Thimphu, but he asked why is it that only he is being targeted?
Rajen said he is not aware of any law that prohibits a peaceful religious gathering of people in their own house.
Rajen said the Dzongkhag had 10 days to appeal to the high court, but instead of doing that it is now imposing its own interpretation of the court verdict which is not consistent with the verdict.
Background
In May 2025 a verdict by the Tsirang District Court directed the Dzongkhag to restore water and electricity connections to Rajen’s building, which had been cut off amid allegations that the basement was being used for unsanctioned gatherings.
The water supply to the building was cut off on the morning of 15th October 2024, followed by the disconnection of electricity on 28th October 2024, both on the orders of the Chairman of the Municipality, who is also the Dzongda.
Following this, Rajen Tamang filed a case in the Tsirang Dzongkhag Court on 29th October, requesting the reconnection of water and electricity to his building as well as compensation.
During the trial, the Dzongkhag requested the court to impose a Nu 450,000 fine on the owner for alleged misuse of the premises under the Rules and Regulations for Places of Entertainment. However, the court declined, stating that no evidence or agreement confirmed the basement was specifically meant to house a karaoke bar.
Following the verdict, Rajen Tamang applied for and obtained an event management license from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment on 21st May 2025 that is valid for one year.
