Buddhist body chief sacked over molestation charge

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Leh, July 2

The Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) on Tuesday expelled its incumbent president Tsewang Thinles following a complaint of sexual assault against him by a teenage girl.

Sources said the 17-year-old victim, who belonged to a far-off village of Leh district, on Monday lodged a complaint against Thinles at the women’s police station, Leh. Following this, an FIR under relevant sections of the POCSO Act was registered against the accused.

A statement issued by the LBA general secretary stated that, “The news of a case against Tsewang Thinles in a molestation case came as an extreme shock to the Buddhist community of Ladakh.”

“Consequently, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the LBA met and condemned the alleged act of Thinles. He is immediately expelled from the post and the association also dissociates itself from him. Thinle’s membership from the general council is also declared vacant,” the statement said.

The CWC further decided that senior vice-president PT Kunzang will be the acting president of the LBA till the tenure of the present general council is completed in the overall interest of the organisation.

When contacted, new working president Kunzang said, “Given the sensitivity of the matter, we have sought a free and fair trial in the case through a fast-track court. Truth must prevail in the case”.