Hearing Begins

Been briefed : Home minister Minjur Dorji leaves the Mongar district court yesterday

The three main accused, individually, received a preliminary briefing from the court

Gyalpoizhing Case: Preliminary hearings of the three criminal cases against National Assembly Speaker Jigme Tshultim, Home Minister Minjur Dorji and once Mongar municipal committee member Dechen Singye began yesterday.

The three indicted in the Gyalpoizhing land case appeared before the Mongar district court, where they were briefed on the dos and don’ts under the court of law, especially when a matter was sub judice.

That included the restriction from speaking to the media openly on the case.

The hearing, which began from 9 am, had all three accused summoned individually in the courtroom for briefing.

The speaker was the first to be summoned, followed by the home minister and then Dechen Singye.

The defendants were also handed out a representative and legal council form each.

“ They've been apprised on the right to legal council or representative,” Mongar drangpon Gembo Dorji said, adding the defendants could hire legal councils, only after due permission of the High Court.

Speaker Jigme Tshultim has been accused of deceptive practices under NA 1-2 of the 1953 Thrimzhung Chhenmo that pertained to forging of signatures and making fake seals.

About 94 of the total 99 plots at Gyalpoizhing were allotted when the speaker served as the Mongar dzongda between 1999 and 2002.

He was also accused of having allocated two plots to two of his children and another to his maid.

Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, who chaired the plot allotment committee between 2005 and 2006 as the Mongar dzongda, was booked for official misconduct under section 294 of the Bhutan Penal Code.

He had allotted five plots, one each to Dremetse dratshang and Khachhu dratshang in Bumthang, one to a Kurichu employee, and two plots to two members of the royal family.

In the hearing yesterday, the two plots allocated to members of the royal family were, however, not included.

The third accused, Dechen Singye, has been booked under NA 1-2 of 1953 Thirmzhing Chhenmo for official misconduct or deceptive practices, including fraud and forgery.

He was also accused of allotting a plot to his sister.

During the opening hearing, all three accused said they would abide by the laws of the land.

“We all must understand that nobody is above the law,” Speaker Jigme Tshultim said, adding that, to curb corruption for peace, welfare and unity of the country, it was important for anyone involved in corrupt practices to be held accountable.

“Even if it was 15-20 years ago,” he said. “It’s also important that an institution like Anti-Corruption Commission also work within the purview of the law.”

The speaker, who has decided to fight his own case, instead of by a representative or legal council, also said the judiciary must assure that justice is ensured, according to the provisions of the law.

The home minister, who is staying in a  hotel in Mongar, however, has yet to decide whether he would have a legal representative or fight his own case.

“I’ll decide on that when I make up my mind on the date to submit my opening statement,” he said.

The speaker, who is putting up at Gyalpoizhing, said he would be giving his opening statement on December 19, while Dechen Singey would be giving his on December 18.

Meanwhile, district court officials said the duration of verdict would depend on how prompt the litigants were, and that going by the accused’s punctuality to show up at the court by 9am sharp, the chances of it finishing early were good.

“The parties were also issued a copy of different charges filed against every individuals by Anti-Corruption Commission,” Gembo Dorji said.

The parties would have to submit their rebuttal statements, based on the charges filed against them.

The three criminal cases were among the 75 that ACC filed with Mongar court.