Bhutan : High Court Upholds Life Sentence in Changangkha Murder Case
Thimphu, December 30, 2025:
The High Court has upheld the judgment of the Thimphu District Court in the Changangkha murder case, affirming the conviction of Lekden D. Dorji for Felony Murder and maintaining the sentence of life imprisonment.
In its verdict delivered on December 30, 2025, the High Court found no grounds to interfere with the lower court’s ruling, citing the grave nature of the crime and the brutal manner in which it was committed. The court imposed a First Degree sentence of life imprisonment, underscoring the seriousness of the offence. Ad1
The High Court stated that its reasoning in affirming the conviction was consistent with the findings and rationale presented by the Thimphu District Court.
Earlier, the district court had rejected the defence’s plea of mental disability, concluding that the argument lacked sufficient merit to absolve or mitigate the accused’s criminal responsibility.
With the High Court’s decision, the conviction and life sentence of Lekden D. Dorji stand confirmed, bringing legal closure to the high-profile Changangkha murder case.
