Chagtrul Thupten Thinley Rinpoche Detained in Puchong on Sexual Assault Allegations

The Buddhist Channel, 27 September 2023

SERDANG, Selangor (Malaysia) -- Vajrayana teacher Chagtrul Thupten Thinley Rinpoche has been detained in connection with allegations of sexual assault involving a woman in Puchong. The alleged incident reportedly occurred on February 17, 2017, within the confines of Puchong.

Serdang's acting Officer in Charge of Police District (OCPD), Superintendent Izuddin Ab Wahab, confirmed the detention of the suspect, who is in his 40s, on September 23 in Puchong.

"He has been placed in custody for seven days, with detention scheduled until Saturday (September 30).

"We are currently conducting a thorough investigation," stated Supt Izuddin when reached for comment on Wednesday (September 27).

Supt Izuddin disclosed that, thus far, only one victim has come forward to file a police report against the accused.

Earlier reports had indicated that a woman had allegedly been sexually assaulted by a foreign monk in Puchong.

Supt Izuddin had previously stated that the woman, in her 30s, filed a police report regarding the incident just last month.

"She claims that the incident transpired six years ago in Puchong when she was sexually assaulted inside her own vehicle," he conveyed.

The woman's statement has been documented to aid in the ongoing investigation, he further revealed.

"We are also actively seeking potential witnesses in connection with this case.

"The suspect has been positively identified, and we are presently in the process of locating him," he affirmed.

The case is presently categorized under Section 376 of the Penal Code, which pertains to rape and carries a possible prison sentence ranging from five to twenty years, as well as corporal punishment upon conviction.

In addition to the ongoing investigation into the alleged sexual assault, recent inquiries directed to the Malaysian Immigration Department have raised concerns regarding Chagtrul Thupten Thinley Rinpoche's immigration status. Investigators are exploring potential fraudulent activities, including overstaying his visa for a period of two years and misrepresenting the purpose of his stay in Malaysia.

The Buddhist Channel is in the process of obtaining statements from the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia, the organization responsible for overseeing all matters related to Vajrayana Buddhism within the country.