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Nepali Crown Prince Kills Royal Family Members: Probe Report
An official report said Thursday that former Crown Prince Dipendra carried out the shootings in the Narayanhity palace on June 1 and killed his parents King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, and some other members of the royal family.
The report was released here by a high level committee ordered to be formed by King Gyanendra on June 4 immediately after his accession to the throne to conduct a judicial probe into the tragic accident in the royal palace.
"A drunken crown prince in combat dress fired indiscriminately, killing the royals," Taranath Ranabhat, speaker of the House of Representatives and one of the two-man probe committee, told a press conference.
Ranabhat said while releasing the report that Dipendra had drunk two pegs of whisky and was seen "swaying, unable to hold himself upright and was taken to his bed chamber.
After some time, Dipendra was seen proceed towards the billiard hall in combat fatigues and armed on both sides with rifle and revolver, he said.
According to Ranabhat's account, Dipendra first fired at late King Birendra, then went out before reentering the hall firing at King Birendra again and at some other members of the royal family, while Late Queen Aishwarya was shot in the garden.
Altogether 10 royal family members were killed and 24 others injured, including security guards in the royal palace, he said.
The probe committee carried out an observation of the site of the incident, collected physical items and materials, which were subjected to scientific tests, and interrogated eyewitnesses, those affected by the incident, and royal guards as well as individuals involved in the relief work and doctors, Ranabhat said.
The high level committee consisted of Supreme Court Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay and Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat.
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