Bhutan: Home Minister Gyeltshen resigns over fraud insurance claims

Bhutan’s Home Minister Sherub Gyeltshen tendered his recognition, which was accepted by the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Gyeltshen is the first democratically-elected sitting minister to step down voluntarily. He served the office for two years, five months and 29 days in the Parliament (lower house).

Gyeltshen tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister and National Assembly Speaker in April following his conviction by the larger bench of the High Court over insurance fraud claiming insurance worth Rs 2.26 lakh.

The larger bench of the High Court convicted the minister to two months in prison for claiming false vehicle insurance. The former minister had appealed to the Supreme Court.

Speaking to the media, Gyeltshen said that his decision to resign from the post is to respect law and order and have faith in the law in a democracy. He said, “I may be wrong, and it’s not fair if I don’t respect the same laws.”

The Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dr Lotay Tshering, tweeted that while the unfortunate development caused much pain and remorse, “never did I ever witness a man walk out with so much grace and dignity despite the strenuous circumstances.” He said, “My colleague, home minister (Dasho) Sherub Gyeltshen resigned from the government, and as he did, he left behind an important lesson.”

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However, the former home minister has not yet resigned from the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa Party.

The former home minister started his career in 1978 in the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs. He served as the district governor in few districts. He also served as a judge in the High Court and later as a secretary of Dzongkha (National Language) Development Commission before superannuating from civil service in 2014 after serving for 37 years.

In recognition of his services to the country, Sherub Gyeltshen was conferred with the honour of Red Scarf from His Majesty the Fourth King in 1997.

As of now, the seat of the Monggar Constituency is vacant with Nganglam Constituency, following the demise of late MP Choida Jamtsho last month.