December 20, 2009: King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk has appointed a long-serving High Court chief, having no certification on legal studies, Sonam Tobgye as the new Chief Justice of the country.
The six-member Royal Commission formed on November 19 recommended former chief justice of the High Court of Bhutan as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the head of the Bhutanese judiciary.
The month-long deliberations among the commissioners culminated into forwarding this king-favorite man for the top job.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the honor conferred, by the confidence bestowed by the royal commission and support and good wishes of the people,” said Tobgye after being given a new title.
He said that he will now work on nominations in Supreme Court, High Court and district courts for faster delivery of justice.
With his nomination, the National Judiciary Commission has come into existence. However, it would be a daunting task for selecting new justices under his single-man leadership.
According to the constitution (Article 21), the Chief Justice of Bhutan will serve a term of five years or until the age of 65, whichever occurs earlier.
Tobgye, 60, appointed as the chief justice right after the royal government unveiled plans for crackdown in southern Bhutan in 1991, retired from service November 14. Though laws regard him to serve in the capacity of High Court chief for another five years, his retirement was informally a scheduled plan to provide him another honorary position.
The nomination of Tobgye for the new responsibility has visualized a new era for Bhutan. Kipchu Namgyal was intelligence chief in 1992, Tobgye was chief justice and Jigmi Thinely was home secretary. Now these three most brutal suppressers lead three highest institutions of the democratic Bhutan – police, judiciary and executive.
Bhutan’s King and DPT Government has been successful in fooling the people.At first Sonam Topgay was asked to volunterily retire from the post of Chief Justice, High Court to prepare himself for the post in Supreme Court. In the mean while they put up a show to form a commitee to chose the Supreme Court Judge. It was all a big drama to eyewash. People of Bhutan knew very well about this sly development but hoped against hope that it is not true, they keep saying no, our King will not do this.They better realise that Yes, their King and Jigme Thinley will always chose an old fellow who has already proved their loyalty to them rather than having a young brain with bright ideas, knowledge and international exposure because he will outsmart them. King and Jigme Thinley both are feudal, they like someone who will lick their ass, las la, yes la no matter what. This is the modern Bhutan.
There had been discussion going on in Bhutan Times Forum for a while on this topic. Bhutanese have been whining and complaining and hoping that Sonam Topgey will not be Supreme Court Judge but they feared that he will be. They very well know that they are being made fools.They can only hide behind the internet to pour their heart out because media is still very much controlled by the Government.We will wait and see if any medis will have guts to go against the King to write about this highly opposed appointment. Not a single person in the BT Forum has something good to say about this person.
And for the information of everyone if you don’t know already, Sonam Topgey,the newly appointed Judge of Supreme Court is a Class X fail from Dr. Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong. This can happen only in Bhutan.
Well, Sometimes we have to be optimistic. Lyonpo ST is a fair choice no matter what his education is.
I have heard no one reads literature like him in Bhutan. People used to say that he even reads every doma cover newletters. The only irony is the judicial system has to be independent of any involvement of the other parties, like that of UK, if we are talking of real democracy in Bhutan. Hope the establishment of SC will explore this venture.
His experience cannot be compared with others. Instead of bringing those young ones, who hardly know anything, I feel he is a good choice. Some older the wine becomes, costlier it becomes.
All the best Lyonpo ST
Parsu
Well, Sometimes we have to be optimistic. Lyonpo ST is a fair choice no matter what his education is.
I have heard no one reads literature like him in Bhutan. People used to say that he even reads every doma cover newletters. The only irony is the judicial system has to be independent of any involvement of the other parties, like that of UK, if we are talking of real democracy in Bhutan. Hope the establishment of SC will explore this venture.
His experience cannot be compared with others. Instead of bringing those young ones who may simply look pleasing the bosses or trying to impress the chamchas, who hardly know anything, I feel he is a good choice. Sometimes, older the wine, costlier it becomes.
All the best Lyonpo ST
Parsu
Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye is well qualified and experienced for this top job. He is well conversant with Bhutanese laws and led the team which wrote the Bhutanese constitution. We must remember that Bhutan is in transition from a closed, undemocratic rule to a democratic and constitutional governance and progress definitely would be slow but good results would follow. Lyonpo Tobgye was the one who introduced historical changes in an old and primitive judiciary by introducing lawyers and making judiciary more transparent. His contribution to the nation building as Auditor General, Secretary of RCSC, Chief Judge of High Court and now as Chief Justice of Supreme Court will ever be remembered in Bhutanese history. Those who oppose him should come up with options and not only with criticism. Progress can not be achieved over night it takes long time for new democracies to take strong roots and prosper specially in situations where it is completely landlocked with stronger and powerful nations surrounding it. An independent judiciary is the need of the hour and with Lyonpo Tobgye at the lead we have high hopes and let all of us strengthen his hands. Tashi Dele.