Thimpu, Sep 5 (TIWN) Social media users in Bhutan are calling for the resignation of the country's Home and Culture Affairs Minister Sherub Gyeltshen after a court here convicted him of claiming false insurance this week.

The Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan found his involvement in the false insurance claim issue in 2018, a few months before he contested in the third general elections representing eastern district of Mongar. Following which the case was charged to the district court in Thimphu, Xinhua news agency reported.  As per the court statement, the Minister claimed false insurance stating his Toyota Prado met with an accident and also his car engine malfunctioned in July 2016. But the accidents were never found to have occurred.  The 63-year old Minister was charged of fraud under section 311 of the Penal Code of Bhutan for submitting false letter to claim insurance.  Section 311 of Penal Code of Bhutan said a defendant shall be guilty of the offence of fraudulent obtaining of insurance, if the defendant presents a false statement as part of an application for commercial or personal insurance or as part of claim for payment on a commercial or personal insurance policy.  The offence is graded petty misdemeanour and can pay in lieu of prison terms, for which he was charged with two months in prison. The court also asked the Minister to refund the full amount to the insurance company through the Office of Attorney General of Bhutan.