March 20: The Tsirang District Court has sentenced four men to two years six months imprisonment for attempted gang rape.

The four men are Tshering Dorji, a 26 year old man from Bondey in Paro, Namgay Dorji, a 20 year old from Talo in Punakha, Gem Tshering, a 20 year old from Bondey, and Norbu Tshering, a 27 year old, also from Paro.

The incident occurred at Mendeygang on the evening of November 19 last year. The four men have also been asked to pay Nu. 4,000 each as compensation for medical expenses to the victim.

According to the verdict, the woman was returning home near Mendeygang town when she met the four men who were traveling in a car. They agreed to give her a lift but instead of taking her to her house, they took her to the old Dungkhag office which is located about three kilometers from her house. When they reached the old Dungkhag office, the victim decided to walk back home.

The four men then followed her and dragged her below the road where they tried to rape her. Their attempt was foiled when a passerby heard her screaming for help.