Home Minister Announces Investigation into Narayanhiti Palace Massacre Two Months Later

Kathmandu. Two months have passed since Home Minister Sudhan Gurung announced an investigation into the Narayanhiti Palace massacre that occurred 25 years ago. On Jestha 26, he made a ministerial decision to advance the investigation process for the palace massacre. However, there has been no progress in implementing the decision to study previous investigation reports and proceed with further investigation into the Narayanhiti massacre that occurred on Jestha 19, 2058. In the incident at Narayanhiti Palace, then King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Crown Prince Dipendra, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti, and 10 others died. It is no secret that there was firing and that members of the royal family died from bullet injuries. Although everyone knows there was firing, the investigation has not progressed due to the absence of post-mortem reports. A high-ranking official from the Home Ministry says, 'There seems to be confusion about how to proceed with the investigation without post-mortem reports.' According to that official, post-mortems were not conducted on those who lost their lives in the palace. Post-mortem reports are considered basic evidence in the investigation and prosecution of homicide cases. Without the main evidence, there is confusion about how to proceed with the investigation. Ballistic examination of the weapon used in the incident and the bullets fired was also not conducted. A committee led by then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Keshav Prasad Upadhyay and Speaker Taranath Ranabhat had submitted an investigation report on the massacre. That committee concluded that Crown Prince Dipendra, who was intoxicated, was responsible for the incident. The Home Ministry is currently studying that report. James Karki, personal secretary to Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, told RatoPati that the old report is being studied to advance the investigation into the incident that occurred 25 years ago in the palace. He said, 'Internal study is underway, nothing has been announced publicly.' Ministry officials are also studying details other than the report submitted by the Ranabhat-led committee. Since the incident occurred 25 years ago, it is difficult to ascertain the facts now. According to the Muluki Criminal Code, the statute of limitations for homicide cases where evidence is not found is 20 years for investigation and bringing the case to court. According to Section 187 of the Muluki Criminal Code 2074, if the identity of the accused is known, investigation and prosecution can be carried out at any time. The police are the investigating body for such cases. The law requires the police to collect evidence found at the scene and prepare an inventory of the scene. However, police investigation officers were not present at the scene of the palace massacre. Therefore, the police do not have an inventory of the scene. Police officials say that investigating a heinous crime is not easy without post-mortem reports. Former DIG Hemant Malla says that in the absence of an inventory of the scene and post-mortem reports, evidence-based investigation will be very difficult. Former DIG Malla says, 'I don't see it as possible to provide investigation results that can lead to prosecution.' Those who worked in the palace at the time and were close to the royal family are explaining the palace massacre in their own ways and publishing books. Home Ministry officials are also studying those details. Characters who lost family in the palace massacre and were present at the scene when the incident occurred can become the basis for investigation. It is possible to question figures like Gorakh Shumsher Rana and the then Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah. Former AIG Surendra Bahadur Shah has been saying that the palace massacre was taken politically and not professionally.