During the deliberations on the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2025, the National Council today agreed to discontinue the existing rule of letting people who help commit a felony pay Thrimthue or fines in place of imprisonment. This was as proposed by the council’s Legislative Committee. The current law allows such individuals, also called “accomplices” to a crime, to pay fines without serving a prison term.
The Legislative Committee had recommended stopping accomplices, and those who attempt, aid, abet, solicit, or conspire in a felony, from paying Thrimthue.
Some MPs argued that the current law should be upheld. They said it is important to consider the circumstances that may force individuals to become accomplices.
“For some individuals, there are situations where they have no choice but to become an accomplice. Many underlying factors may push them to assist the person who committed the crime,” said Tshering Tshomo, Zhemgang MP, National Council.
“If a person is sentenced to five years, an accomplice could receive half of that sentence. Currently, they can pay Thrimthue instead of serving time. Removing this option entirely would be unfair,” said Kencho Tshering, Bumthang MP, National Council.
The committee, however, defended its recommendation, saying the Thrimthue system can allow accomplices to escape punishment, eroding public trust and confidence in the law.
“There is no country in the world where an individual can pay Thrimthue. Under Bhutan’s Penal Code 2004, felony convicts could not pay Thrimthue. The law was amended in 2021 to allow payment only if the prison term is three years or less,” said Ugyen Tshering, Member, Legislative Committee, National Council.
The committee initially proposed removing the Thrimthue option entirely. While that proposal did not get support, it now recommends that such individuals should not be eligible to pay Thrimthue.
The House approved the committee’s recommendation with a show of hands. Deliberations on the Bill will continue tomorrow.