Once a proud three-star property in Bhutan’s Trongsa district, the Viewpoint Resort now lies in ruins—abandoned and deteriorating after becoming entangled in a major land corruption case. With no redevelopment plans in sight, questions about accountability and legal clarity continue to stir controversy.
In 2015, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) froze the property after it was found to be illegally acquired by Karma Tshetrim Dolma, wife of former Trongsa Dzongdag Lhab Dorji, through forged documents. Although the Supreme Court ruled in 2022 to return the resort to the government, critics argue that the legal battle—rooted in a misinterpretation of Section 104 of the Anti-Corruption Act—left the property in decay.
The courts ruled that the ACC was only responsible for safeguarding movable property, excluding the resort from protection. However, the convicted family members assert that Section 104 explicitly requires the ACC to protect all seized assets—movable or immovable—and that this misreading led to the resort’s decline.
Controversially, amendments to the ACC Act during the trial allegedly reinforced this narrow interpretation, raising suspicions of judicial overreach and legislative manipulation. The family plans to petition Parliament, urging it to review and possibly revoke the contested provisions.
Adding complexity, the Bank of Bhutan—which financed the resort with over Nu 132 million—has also struggled to reclaim its dues, as the legal ownership of the property remains under dispute. Attempts to auction or lease the property have failed, with no takers.
As the resort stands deserted, stolen from and forgotten, the case highlights an urgent need for clarity in the law, protection of seized assets, and a fair resolution for all parties involved.
