Punishment

The ancient laws of Bhutan were very severe on the citizens. Criminals such as theives and absconding slaves were meted with harsh punishments such as chopping off their hands, fingers and cutting the nerves of their heels. For murders, the culprit is often killed in addition to the heavy compensation the family has to pay. Fees for litigation and compensation if found on the losing side are very heavy. When a family has incurred the displeasure of the leaders, the family is often robbed of its entire or significant part of its property as a punishment. People were also imprisoned or banished from their home to a remote and hostile regions as a punishment. Corporeal punishment was in common practice.