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A decade ago, a boy in Rinchen Higher Secondary School in Thimphu pointed to an imposingly beautiful bungalow on the slope above his school and told his friend, “I will go there one day.”

Nine years, five months, and 21 days later, the boy, now a reporter, walked into the place of his dreams: he walked up the steps of Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye’s house, just days after he resigned as Bhutan’s chief justice.

Half nervous, the reporter, along with a photographer, approached the Lyonpo after a chaglyon. “Good after noon boys,” the man known for his discipline said.

“Gooood aaffternoooon la Lyonpo replied the shaky voices.

Before he could realize, he was there – his inspiration confronting him.

“Lyonpo we are here to…” the interview went on.

Lucky men! The Lyonpo’s informal dressing and casual conversation made them feel at home and as the conversation progressed the photographer seemed to be lost.

He looked around and said nothing but the rate of his spoon, on the cake which was offered, seemed to explain everything- He was a lunch-less predator of his much forceful reporter-friend.

“For the last one year or so I have not decided on or presided over any case. Only on rare occasions I presided over cases, that too of state level and other important issues,” Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye’s baritone maintained.

“The constitution specifically states that the chief justice of the high court must superannuate either on the 60th birthday or five years in the post whichever is earlier,” he said.

“I turned 60 on November 15. So I continued normal work till four o’clock on the 13th,” he said.

Just then the reporter interfered.

“Lyonpo, I was wondering what you did on the last day to office,” the question was direct.

“On Thursday His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo, graciously issued the royal edict on forming the constitution of the royal commission for the appointment of the chief justice of the Supreme Court,” he said.

“I went to meet guests. Of course I met the guests I was supposed to meet, but I did nothing on judicial matters after the 13th,” he said.

“I must establish a convention that will be followed, respected and obeyed. The example must be set by the Chief Justice who was also the chairman of the drafting committee – to state in action and to record in history that we, the judiciary, of Bhutan follow and obey the Constitution.”  Eighteen-and-a-half years as the chief justice of Bhutan’s high court Lyonpo is burdened with a responsibility: to set a precedence.

“Just asking, Lyonpo what was the last case you presided and decided on?” the reporter asked, not very confident about the correctness of the query.

A long spell of silence followed.  Lyonpo resumed, “I have been working on the amendment and updating of the bench book which was formalized by the committee of the judges of Bhutan. The bench book was very important.

Second, was updating of the forms. I  felt it was important for me to update them then and there because I have living memories of those with history, practicality, and applicability of these two guidelines in abeyance to the vision of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo who said that cases must  be decided expeditiously, fairly, and inexpensive.

Gathering confidence, the reporter then wanted to get friendlier but feared not to. But he asked what a lot of Bhutanese wanted to ask Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye: about his love for quotable quotes.

He smiled; there was again a long spell of silence.

“Courage, brother do not stumble though the path be dark as light. There is a star to guide the humble, trust in god and do the right,” he continued.

The next half an hour went on with Lyonpo running through his lines of proverbs and principles.

No sooner did Lyonpo finish, then the reported asked, what next? Lyonpo gave a mild smile.

“Next, after this is retirement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the reporter was preparing to ask his last question for the day.

He looked at his companion signaling him to take some photographs. As the photographer stood, the reporter asked, “It has never happened in the history of judiciary where a chief justice has completed his term, please comment?

The question was well taken. “I am extremely happy and proud that I was able to complete my tenure which was a result of the graciousness of their majesties and fortune particularly in my case,” he said.

That night the reporter was all was all smiles. As the voice and words of the revered man resounded on his mind, the reporter regretted not being able to show the Lyonpo what he meant to the boy and particularly what an impact he made to the judiciary in Bhutan.

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