December 29: Wangduephodrang district court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for burglary and vandalizing chortens and stealing sacred relics and religious artifacts.

The three men are 37-year-old Gem Dorji from Lophokha village under Athang Gewog, 25-year-old Tshering from Sermi village under Tang Gewog in Bumthang, and 40-year-old Wangdi from Mang village under Phobji Gewog in Wangduephodrang.

They are found guilty of a spate of chorten robberies and three separate burglaries in Phobji Gewog between November 2006 and July 2007.

The court verdict says all three are liable for multiple life imprisonment and additional imprisonment for the crime they have committed.