THIMPHU – The year 2025 cast a stark light on the evolving and often unsettling nature of crime in Bhutan, with high-profile cases exposing shifting patterns of violence in the country. From the brutal murder of 89-year-old former Dorji Lopen to a high-profile gold smuggling case allegedly involving former monks, these incidents shook public trust and challenged societal norms. Alongside these headline-grabbing cases, rising drug offences, domestic violence, cybercrime, and road accidents underscored the growing complexity of criminal challenges in a rapidly changing society.
Murder
On July 2, 2025, former Dorji Lopen Yonten Gyeltshen, 89, was killed at his meditation retreat in Nalanda Shedra in Punakha. The Punakha District Court sentenced the attacker, 20-year-old former monk Ugyen Tshering, to life imprisonment.
In a separate case, the High Court sentenced 39-year-old Sonam Norbu, founder of the VTOB Foundation, to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of 24-year-old Namgay Dolkar. Court proceedings revealed that the accused had been in an extramarital relationship with the victim.
Another defendant, 29-year-old Lekden D Dorji, was sentenced to life for the murder of a 25-year-old woman on March 31, 2025. Authorities said he assaulted and attempted to sexually assault the intoxicated victim before concealing her body under cardboard boxes near Changangkha, Thimphu.
High-value burglary
On May 19, a 113-tola (1.31 kg) gold karmi kom (butter lamp) worth over Nu 12 million was stolen from Takila Guru Lhakhang in Lhuentse. Two former monks and a private employee were arrested in connection with the heist.
MP convicted for child molestation
Tashi Dorji, former opposition Member of Parliament from Nubi-Tangsibji constituency, Trongsa was convicted of child molestation and sentenced to three years, three months, and 28 days by the Trongsa Dzongkhag Court. Appeals to the High Court and Supreme Court upheld the conviction in August 2025.
Custodial death
On November 14, 2025, 33-year-old Biren Kumar Kafley died after reportedly jumping from a moving police van, triggering widespread public concern. The incident prompted an official investigation by the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), which concluded on January 21, 2026. Following the inquiry, eight police personnel were subjected to disciplinary action in connection with the case.
Biren Kumar Kafley was brought to JDWNRH on November 14, and a high-risk surgery was performed on November 15 to address his critical injuries. After the surgery, the deceased was moved to the ICU and kept on ventilator support, remaining in a vegetative state. He was pronounced dead on November 23.
Drug
Police records indicate a slight decline in substance abuse cases, from over 1,570 in 2023 to just above 1,500 in 2025. Incidents of illicit trafficking involving narcotics, psychotropic substances, and cannabis fell from more than 320 to over 240. However, illegal possession cases rose marginally, from three in 2023 to five in 2025.
Battery and domestic violence
Cases of battery and domestic violence increased over the past two years. Reported battery incidents rose from over 490 in 2023 to nearly 520 in 2025, while domestic violence cases grew from 415 to around 430. Authorities attribute this rise partly to greater public awareness and initiatives that encourage victims to report crimes and access support services.
Accident
Motor vehicle accidents nearly doubled over four years. Road accidents rose from 780 in 2022 to 1,450 in 2025, adding 4,410 incidents between 2022 and 2025. Fatalities climbed from 79 to 102, and injuries increased from 547 to 784, totalling 381 deaths and 2,600 injuries nationwide.
Sexual offence
Sexual offence cases steadily increased over four years: 108 in 2022, 143 in 2023, 147 in 2024, and 152 in 2025, totalling 550 incidents. Thimphu reported the highest number (113), followed by Gelephu (62) and Samtse (60).
Cybercrime
From 2024 to 2026, police recorded 318 financial scam cases, causing losses of Nu 37.08 million. The police recovered Nu 12.86 million, leaving nearly 65 percent unrecovered. Lottery prize scams (98 cases), Australian Dollar exchange scams (87 cases), and investment fraud (44 cases) were the most prevalent. OTP-sharing scams tripled from nine cases in 2024 to 29 in 2025.
Cybercrime is rising steadily, with 469 cases reported since 2022, and Thimphu accounting for 43 percent of the total.
Suicide
Police recorded 422 suicide cases between 2022 and 2025. Annual figures were relatively stable: 113 in 2022, 97 in 2023, 108 in 2024, and 104 in 2025. Samtse had the highest number (66), followed by Gelephu (56) and Thimphu (53).
ANN/Kuensel
