Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye

21 November, 2009 - For the first time in 38 years, Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye did not go to work on Monday. He spent his first day of retirement, November 16, “doing absolutely nothing”.

As he spoke to Kuensel yesterday evening, while taking a stroll outside his home in Changedaphu, below the Buddha statue, the 60-year-old Chief Justice said: “I’m at home relaxing. I didn’t even check my email or read on the first day after retiring.”

Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye superannuated on November 15 and, although he did not receive any relieving order, he officially stopped functioning as the chief justice of the high court by November 16. “My term has ended after a fruitful and prolonged tenure. And also it’s been very tiring,” said the chief justice in fleece jacket and a track pant, looking anything but sad or anxious.

He became the chief justice in 1991 after starting his career in 1971 as Ziminangma (Chamberlain) to His Majesty the third King.

He now plans on spending his days reading, writing and in prayer. “I’ll be writing a book on the making of the Constitution,” said Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye, who chaired the constitution drafting committee. “People have said that I was handpicked to become the chief justice but I was a high court judge. Nobody has become a Chief Justice without serving as justice of the high court.”

In 1974, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye became the first official to receive the Red Scarf from His Majesty the fourth King, when he was appointed the Solpon (Lord of Offerings) at the royal court. He worked as a high court judge for six years. Between 1986 and 1991 he was concurrently Auditor General and RCSC Secretary.

Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye superannuated at a time when the high court was already facing a shortage of judges. Two of the three current high court justices will also be superannuating next month. About 230 appeal cases were registered in the high court this year.

“The formation of the royal commission by His Majesty is an excellent decision. It’s the only solution to an almost constitutional problem,” he said. According to the royal kasho, the commission members have been asked to recommend the Chief Justice of Supreme Court at the earliest. “After the appointment of the Chief Justice, everything will fall into place,” he said. “The supreme court must be cautious, because expectations are high, and it must act affirmatively.”

Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye said that he was fortunate to be a part of the judicial, procedural, penal and administrative reforms under His Majesty the fourth King. “These reforms will have enduring and pervasive influence in our society,” he said.

He said that he was not sure what future held for him. “But on my departure from the judiciary today, I’d like to express my gratitude to the excellent members of the judiciary and my well wishers,” said Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye. “It was indeed a great honour for me to serve Their Majesties, the nation and incredible people of Bhutan.”