November 1: Haa District court has sentenced five people to prison for obtaining rural timber pass by forging the signatures of their family members. All convicts are from Haa.

According to a news release from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Dechen Wangmo has been sentenced to one year in prison, Chungdu to one year one month, Lamala to one year, Sangay to one year and Sonam to six months.

The Bjee Gup Sonam Dorji and Katsho Gup Tshewang Penjor were found guilty of aiding and abetting. They have been sentenced to six months in prison.

Meanwhile another man, Dago Chang-lo has been fined Nu. 5,000 for transporting rural timber to sawmill. The Anti-Corruption Commission investigated the issue after receiving an anonymous complaint.

The Haa District Court also reprimanded the Dzongkhag Forestry Officials, Gups and other Dzongkhag Officials to institute a mechanism to prevent similar malpractice in future.

The news release from the OAG says the timber will be forfeited by the government. All parties have been given 10 days to appeal.