25 Years Since Narayanhiti Palace Massacre, Mystery Lingers

Kathmandu. Today marks 25 years since the Narayanhiti Palace massacre in which the lineage of the then King Birendra Shah was wiped out. The massacre that took place on Jestha 19, 2058 BS saw the entire royal family of King Birendra Shah perish.

In the shooting that occurred inside the royal palace, King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Crown Prince Dipendra, Prince Niranjan, Princess Shruti, Shanti Rajya Lakshmi Singh, Sharda Rajya Lakshmi Shah, Shajadi Jayanti Rajya Lakshmi Shah, Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah, and Dhirendra Shah died.

Komal Shah, Shobha Shahi, Kumar Gorakhshamsher, and Ketaki Chester were injured in the incident. The palace massacre remains shrouded in mystery even after 25 years. Although a high-level investigation committee, comprising then Supreme Court Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay and Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, held Crown Prince Dipendra responsible, the general public has not believed it.

The then investigation committee had publicly presented unconfirmed facts stating that Crown Prince Dipendra committed the murders. According to the investigation committee's facts, it is believed that Crown Prince Dipendra destroyed King Birendra's lineage. However, many have not believed the claims of the report. Leaders who reached power had promised to uncover the mystery of the palace massacre while outside but it has never been a priority once they attained office.