KATHMANDU: It has been 24 years since the tragic assassination of former King Birendra Shah and his entire family at the Narayanhiti Palace.
On the evening of Friday, 19th Jestha 2058 BS (June 1, 2001), a royal family banquet was held at the palace.
During that gathering, King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti, King Birendra’s younger brother Dhirendra, and other royal family members including Princesses Shanti, Sharada, Jayanti, and Sharada’s husband Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah were killed.
The then Crown Prince Dipendra, believed to be responsible for the massacre, was found in a semi-conscious state with a gunshot wound and was declared king on 20th Jestha while being treated in hospital. As Dipendra was incapacitated, Prince Gyanendra Shah was named regent.
After Dipendra succumbed to his injuries on 22nd Jestha, Gyanendra was formally declared king.
The government at the time formed a two-member investigation committee comprising Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay and Speaker Taranath Ranabhat to look into the incident.
The committee concluded that Dipendra was responsible for the killings and had taken his own life. However, many Nepalis continue to question and reject this official account.
To mark the 24th anniversary of the massacre, a memorial event is being held today in honor of the late royal family.
The Yogi Naraharinath Spiritual Council is organizing a tribute and wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of King Birendra in Jawalakhel.
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