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Nepal probe report could backfire

The shoddily produced report on the royal massacre in Nepal has left several unanswered questions and numerous loopholes that could end up as key weapons in the hands of those opposed to the new monarchy.

The synopsis of the report has failed to answer several queries, including pertinent ones being hotly debated in the media and by the public, ever since the massacre.

The report has not clearly defined the motive of Prince Dipendra for the massacre.

Did he actually kill them after Queen Aishwarya rebuked him in front of the entire royal clan, and asked him to forget Devyani Rana?

Or, was he enraged after his father told him in front of the entire gathering that he will have to give up his Crown Prince status if he wants to marry Devyani?

Or, were there no discussions at all on Friday evening about the affair?

Finally, was there someone who instigated him, and played the role of a Chanakya, assisting him through the murder?

The questions will linger on, as the commission has also ignored the criticism and suspicion raised about Prince Paras. The report is virtually silent on Paras's whereabouts during the shooting and how he survived.

There is mention of Prince Paras as having assisted three others at about 1930 hours, to escort a 'drunk' Dipendra to his bedroom.

But, when he ostensibly returned to kill, where was Prince Paras?

Further, there is also no mention of King Gyanendra, whose absence from Kathmandu that day is not explained. Gyanendra was in Pokhara, ostensibly for a meeting, but that meeting was to take place a few days away.

Why then did he go to Pokhara earlier?

Why did he choose to skip the customary Friday dinner?

Questions about Dipendra and Devyani being secretly married were also not answered.

Rumours in Kathmandu, which were reproduced by Newsweek magazine, claimed that the two had married at a Lalitpur temple.

There are also questions as to why Prince Dipendra fired two bullets at himself. Usually in a suicide attempt, only one bullet is fired, especially when he is a good shot.

The inquiry commission says there were two cartridge cases of 9mm MP-5 K automatic Ges.m.b.H pistol. So, did someone fire at the Prince, or did he miss his first bullet on himself?

There are many more mysteries:

How did the 9mm G19 Glock pistol (No YY 334), issued to Prince Niranjan end up at the site of crime?

Did Niranjan fire at Dipendra?

Was there cross-firing in the palace, rather than just Dipendra going around killing everyone?

Adding to the mystery is the fact that another 9 mm calibre Glock pistol was found in the billiards hall. The G19 Glock is an effective concealed carry firearm available for just $690.

The committee says, "Neither the opinions of experts concerned nor the cartridges recovered confirmed that the 9mm calibre Glock pistol found at the billiards hall and the 12 bore single barrel shot gun recovered from a corner south-west of the lawn were fired during the incident."

So, there were two Glock pistols: One Niranjan's, from which two bullets were fired. And another from which no bullet had been fired. So did Nirajan fire at his brother in an attempt to protect his mother?

Or, had Dipendra taken possession of his brother's weapon?

Further, did someone snatch away the Glock pistol from Dipendra near the billiards hall, where the King was killed, and tried to attack Dipendra?

There are numerous unanswered questions, but the report does not answer most of them.

Death of a Monarch: The Complete Coverage

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