A Bhutanese monk bound for France via New Delhi was detained by Indian custom officials on 16 august, at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International airport in Borjhar, Guwahati for possessing human skulls and bones of limbs. He was, however, released after the Bhutanese consulate officials in Kolkota wrote to Assam government requesting his release.
The monk is said to have confessed the possession of those human remains. According to him the remains are actually the “gifts” to various generous donors of France , who helped the construction of lhakhangs (Buddhist temple) in Gelephu. He was found to be carrying 25 skulls and 20 pairs of femurs in his luggage.
The penal code of Bhutan clearly lacks the stipulations/clauses about the degree of penalty for such cannibalistic act of transporting human bones across the international border.
It is also very ironic to let the monk free by the Indian custom officials without trying him to the court as per the Indian law.
