Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah

Case information

• Name: Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah
• Lifespan: 27 June 1971 – 4 June 2001
• Role: Member of the Nepalese Royal Family; briefly became King of Nepal from 1 June to 4 June 2001
• Education: Budhanilkantha School, Kathmandu; Eton College, England; Tribhuvan University, Nepal (master’s degree study and PhD student)
• Other attributes: Skilled in karate

Timeline

• 1 June 2001 — A family gathering was held at Narayanhity Royal Palace; Dipendra allegedly killed several members of his family and was then mortally wounded by an allegedly self-inflicted gunshot to the side of the head.
• 1 June 2001 (de jure) — Dipendra became de jure King of Nepal upon his father’s death and was proclaimed king in his hospital bed while in a coma.
• 4 June 2001 (3:45 local time) — Dipendra died at the military hospital in Chhauni.
• 4 June 2001 — Gyanendra succeeded Dipendra and was then appointed regent; a successor also followed a press and mourning process.

Background

Dipendra was part of the Nepalese Royal Family and briefly became King of Nepal from 1 June to 4 June 2001. As Crown Prince, he allegedly killed his family at a royal dinner on 1 June 2001, including the previous King, and he was also mortally wounded by an allegedly self-inflicted gunshot to the side of the head. After the killings, he was proclaimed king while he lingered in a coma.

The offence

Family gathering at Narayanhity Royal Palace

In keeping with a tradition of regular family gatherings held at Narayanhity Royal Palace on the third Friday of every month, such a gathering was organised on Friday 1 June 2001 at Tribhuvan Sadan of Narayanhity Royal Palace.

His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah, and His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah were present at the gathering, alongside all the 24 invitees including other members of the royal family and royal relatives. The gathering excluded Her Royal Highness Princess Prekchhya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Kumar Sri Mohan Bahadur Shahi and Raj Kumari Bimala Singh.

Sequence of events described by witnesses and the committee’s factual reconstruction

The Crown Prince arrived first at 7:30 pm and played billiards by himself for some time, during which he drank one or two pegs of Famous Grouse whisky neat. Individuals including Prince Nirajan, Prince Paras, Kumar Gorakh and Dr Rajeev saw the Crown Prince swaying and unable to hold himself upright, and they took him to his bed chamber inside Tribhuvan Sadan.

While in the billiard room, the Crown Prince ordered his ADC Gajendra Bohara by mobile phone at 8:19 pm to fetch cigarettes. A special kind of cigarette prepared with a mixture of hashish and another unnamed black substance was brought by a royal orderly, and it was delivered to Prince Paras. The Crown Prince arranged for the hashish and black substance, and ordered it. The committee heard that he had been making such cigarettes for about a year.

After a series of calls involving Dipendra and Devyani Rana, the Crown Prince put on army combat dress and came out of the bed chamber with weapons, was seen by Prince’s orderly Ramkrishna, and proceeded towards the billiard hall armed on both sides with rifle and revolver.

In combat fatigues, the Crown Prince entered the billiard hall and:

• fired at the ceiling and west wall with a 9 mm Caliber MP-5K automatic sub-machine gun,
• fired rat-tat-tat at His Majesty King Birendra standing near the east end of the billiard table,
• moved back and came out of the billiard room,
• threw a 12 bore SPAS 12-L FRENCH SPA gun near the stairs to the north of the inner garden edge east of the hall,
• entered the billiard room again aiming a 5.56 caliber Colt M-16 A2 rifle with light and telescope and fired rat-tat-tat at His Majesty King Birendra, Kumar Gorakh Shumsher Rana, Sri Dhirendra Shah and Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah,
• moved back to reach the door and advanced to fire indiscriminately a third time, hitting Princess Shruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana, Princess Sharada Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Princess Shanti Rajya Laxmi Rana and Princess Jayanti Shah as well as others,
• moved back out of the billiard hall and towards the east inner garden.

As the Crown Prince moved back towards the inner garden to the east after firing the third time, a female figure in red sari was seen giving chase. Shots were fired after crossing a ladder and while standing at a small meadow. Prince Nirajan was found laying prone in an unconscious state with the head to the east, and was carried and taken to hospital.

Rescue work and transport to hospital

Royal ADCs heard the alarm “call the doctors soon...” and entered the billiard hall by breaking glass of a door to start rescue work. Colonel Sundar Pratap Rana entered the hall, carried His Majesty King Birendra, and drove to the military hospital at Chhauni.

The committee recorded that His Majesty and others were taken to Shree Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni after the shootings.

Investigation

Evidence collection and tests by the high-level committee

A high-level committee investigated the incident. In the course of collecting facts about the incident at Narayanhity Royal Palace the night of June 1, 2001, the committee conducted observation of the site, collected physical items and materials, subjected these to scientific tests, and interrogated eye witnesses, those affected by the incident, royal guards, individuals involved in relief work, and doctors involved in the treatment. The committee also made inquiries with individuals where it was thought necessary based on facts that came to light.

A methodology was adopted that included:

• interrogation of victims, royal family members present, royal relatives, security guards, chefs, attendants, Royal Palace service office bearers, individuals engaged in rescue work, physicians and nurses involved in medical treatment, and other associated individuals;
• studying notices and data from the Principal Secretariat of His Majesty the King and Birendra Military Hospital, and medical treatment records;
• collecting guns, bullets, bullets/cartridges, blood, brain tissue, fingerprints and clothing found at the site and studying scientific and chemical test reports;
• consulting experts including narcotic drug experts and psychologists on opinions regarding guns, bullets, blood, brain tissue and finger prints, and technical matters stated in medical documents.

Committee members, formation, and resignation

On June 4, 2001, His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev announced the formation of a high level committee with Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya as Chairman and Speaker of Parliament Taranath Rana Bhat and opposition leader in the House of Representatives Madhav Kumar Nepal as members. The committee was required to submit its report in three days.

A resignation was submitted on June 6, 2001 by Madhav Kumar Nepal through the committee’s chairman, citing the party’s decision not to work on the high level committee, while pledging the party’s and his own full cooperation in the process of investigation. The principal secretariat established terms of reference on June 6, 2001.

The committee started its work from June 8, 2001, and after laboratory tests required additional time it extended tenure by four days starting from June 11, 2001 as per the committee’s request.

Madhav Kumar Nepal later withdrew from a planned role in the probe.

Committee conclusion

The investigation concluded that Dipendra had carried out the massacre.

Some critics disputed the official report, and there were conspiracy theories, including claims that Gyanendra was responsible. However, a widely accepted motive was that Prince Dipendra was angry over a marriage dispute.

Arrest

No arrest is described.

Trial

No trial is described.

Sentencing

No sentencing is described. Dipendra died after committing suicide by shooting himself.

Appeals

No appeals are described.

Outcome

Dipendra was proclaimed King while in a coma after his father’s death. He died in hospital on 4 June 2001, following a period in a coma. Gyanendra was succeeded as king.

The investigation found Dipendra responsible for the killings, though some people disputed the official account.

Aftermath

A three day or five day mourning period process is described, including national mourning and public ceremonies. Following Dipendra’s death, Gyanendra was appointed regent. While Dipendra lived, Gyanendra maintained that the deaths were the result of an “accident,” and he later stated that he made the claim due to “legal and constitutional hurdles,” since Dipendra could not have been charged with murder had he survived.

A formal public press-conference and presentation of inquiry details occurred as part of the committee process.

Victims and casualties

Killed (10 deaths recorded by the committee)

The committee recorded ten killed in the incident:

• His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:15 in the evening)
• Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah (pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:15 in the evening)
• His Royal Highness Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah (pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:15 in the evening)
• Her Royal Highness Princess Sruti Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana (pronounced dead at the hospital at 9:55 the same evening)
• Her Royal Highness Princess Shanti Rajya Laxmi Devi Singh (pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:30 in the evening)
• Her Royal Highness Princess Sharada Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah (pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:30 in the evening)
• Her Royal Highness Princess Jayanti Rajya Laxmi Shah (pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:30 in the evening)
• Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah (pronounced dead upon arrival at Birendra Military Hospital at 9:35 in the evening)
• His Royal Highness Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (reached hospital 9:24 P.M. on June 1, 2001; pronounced dead at 3:45 A.M. on June 4, 2001)
• Mr. Dhirendra shah (reached hospital 9:24 P.M. on June 1, 2001; pronounced dead at 5:57 P.M. on June 4, 2001)

The committee recorded that no information had been received about the death of anyone other than the ten mentioned.

Injured (serious injuries recorded)

The committee recorded serious injuries for:

• Her Majesty Queen Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah
• Her Royal Highness Princess Shobha Rajya Laxmi Shahi
• Kumar Gorakh Shumsher J. B. Rana
• Mrs. Ketaki Chestar

Motive

Officially stated motive

Official reports stated that Dipendra assassinated family members because of anger over a marriage dispute.

Marriage dispute and opposition narratives

Dipendra’s choice of bride was Devyani Rana, daughter of Pashupati SJB Rana a member of the Rana clan. The Shah family of kings had historic animosity against the Rana clan, though Shah kings and princes had married almost exclusively members of the Rana family in recent times. Dipendra was denied his choice of wife by his mother Aishwarya and then massacred his family after indulging in a drinking binge.

Alternative theories about responsibility

Many people believed Gyanendra was responsible and blamed Dipendra so he could assume the throne. Gyanendra was out of town during the massacre (in Pokhara) and was the closest surviving relative of the king. Gyanendra’s wife and son were in the room at the royal palace during the massacre; his son escaped with slight injuries and his wife was injured.

Rumours included an allegation that Dipendra was mortally wounded by a gunshot to the left side of the head while Dipendra was right-handed, casting doubt on whether the injury was self-inflicted. Other surviving confirmations supported the account that Dipendra was doing the shooting as documented in a BBC documentary, but some Nepali people still considered it a mystery.

A book in Nepal named Raktakunda was described as recounting the massacre and alleging that two men masked as Crown Prince Dipendra fired the shots, and also alleged cover-ups by the royal family, including a claim that then-King Mahendra committed suicide.

Weapons and forensic findings

Injuries and cause of death

Bullet injuries were the cause of death of all killed in the incident on June 1, 2001, substantiated by physicians at Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni, and by interrogations of the injured stating they sustained gunshot injuries.

Clothing and blood group evidence

A letter dated June 10, 2001 from Birendra Military Hospital reported the clothing Dipendra wore when taken to hospital immediately after the incident: black army boots, camouflage (combat) jacket and trousers, black leather gloves, black stockings, and a camouflage vest. The committee took possession of clothing, gloves, and boots for inspection. Laboratory test results concluded that stains were of blood group “B”. Among the deceased, the Queen and Crown Prince also had blood group “B”.

A letter from the hospital stated that upon arrival at the hospital Dipendra was wearing gloves and the gloves were handed in to the committee. No gloves other than the single pair in question were found at the site of the incident and at the hospital.

Firearms, cartridges, and expert opinions

• Cartridge cases recovered from a 5.56 caliber Colt M-16 A2: forty-seven cartridge cases fired from a 5.56 caliber Colt M-16 A2 (weapon number A0073943). The rifle could fire 700 to 1,000 bullets per minute.
• Cartridge cases for 9mm MP-5K: experts opined that the 29 cartridge cases found at the site were fired from a 9mm caliber MP-5K automatic sub-machine gun, which could fire up to 900 bullets per minute.
• Cartridge cases for 9mm MP-5K pistol: two cartridge cases were opined to have been fired from a 9mm caliber MP-5K automatic Ges.m.b.H pistol; cartridges were found in the pond near the small bridge where Dipendra was said to be found injured by rescuers.
• M-16 issue and handling: Captain Madhav Bhandari told the committee that the M-16 gun with number A0073943 was issued as per demand made by Royal Guard Military Police, Royal Palace on 056/5/31 Bikram Era, and handed in to the Royal Palace armory (kotkhana) after acquiring it from the Royal Nepalese Army arsenal. ADC Gajendra Bohara mentioned Dipendra carried this weapon on trekking and could take weapons directly from the Royal Palace armory whenever he wished.
• Other weapons: one pistol and a 9mm caliber gun were issued as per demand from the Royal ADC office on 2053/1/27 Bikram Era and 2056/7/28 Bikram Era; weapons were in Dipendra’s possession, per ADC Gajendra Bohara.
• Glock pistol issuance and inconclusive discharge: a 9mm G19 Glock pistol with number YY 334 was issued from the arsenal to be handed in to Prince Nirajan. Neither expert opinions nor cartridges recovered confirmed the Glock pistol found at the billiard hall and the 12 bore single barrel shot gun recovered from a corner south-west of the lawn were fired during the incident.

Scene access findings

No entrances other than the main gate housing the ADC office inside Tribhuvan Sadan at Narayanhity Royal Palace and a small closed gate in the eastern part were found during the observation. A sketch of the site was attached as annex to the report.

Other details

Dipendra’s discipline and behavior described

Dipendra had been disciplined while at Eton for selling alcohol. He was known to have been skilled in karate. He was described as having problems with drugs and alcohol and a cruel side despite an affable public persona. He carried MP-5 submachine guns and palace officials had been used to him frequently shooting at crows, cats and bats in the palace grounds. His “gun fetish,” previous shooting sprees, and violent outbursts with victims were described.

A New Year’s mentioned “One bout of viciousness” was on his birthday almost exactly a year ago.

Witness quotations and statements

Queen Komal said:

“I was present at the family gathering at Tribhuvan Sadan that day. I learnt that the crown prince had gone to rest early. Sometime later there was a burst of gunfire and the bullets hit the ceiling. After that I saw that King Birendra had been hit on the right side of his neck. Kumar Khadga and Kumar Gorakh were also shot. Then I was hit in the back and I fell down… (Princess) Shanti had fallen over me, and I could not see anything after that.”

Princess Helen Shah said:

“About 7-8 minutes after that Paras came running (and told us). After hearing that ‘Amumuma dai-le ta Thulobuba dekhi liyara sabai jana lai goli hanyo’ (Dipendra shot King Birendra and all the others), I opened the door and stepped out. The Queen Mother was behind me…I then entered the Billiard Room…and looked all around. Everyone was on the ground. Dhirendra was crying in pain. I rushed back to the Queen Mother and told her everyone except Dhirendra were dead. She asked where is the king. Paras said I have sent him to hospital already. Then she asked where were the queen and Nirajan. At that time the two stepped out. The Queen was in front and Nirajan was following…I don’t know where. Then we went to hospital.”

Princess Helen Shah also said:

“I was sitting with the Queen Mother in the anteroom, heard gunshots and some people running in the garden. She thought the youngsters were playing. In the end she heard one or two shots. Then there was silence.) “About 7-8 minutes after that Paras came running (and told us).”

Princess Shoba Shahi said:

“It was our normal Third Friday gathering. No argument, no discussion it was just a gathering. He (Dipendra) had served drinks and then gone to fetch Mummy (Queen Mother)…After chatting with our mothers we all drifted towards the Billiard Room. The crown prince was not there. Dhirendra told me that four people had taken him (Dipendra) to his room. Then we entered the Billiard Room. A while later, he (Dipendra) appeared in combat clothes (sobs), he had a big gun. He did not talk, all of us were there, and there was the sound of gunshots…We did not think that he intended to kill, we thought the gun had gone off by mistake. Birendra dai fell. I went and held him. Rajeev also came and helped. I couldn’t tell where he was hit… Birendra dai tried to get up. And he was holding a… I said leave this and snatched it. The magazine came out and I threw it away…”

Princess Shoba Shahi also said:

“Immediately after Dai (King Birendra) fell, Sruti came saying “Bua, Buba”, but seeing her husband she said “Eh ba timilai pani lagyo?” (You have also been hit?”) and rushed towards him….Then she fell. After shooting bhai (Dhirendra) he shot his sister. After that he shot His Majesty again and he fell…actually he killed him that third time.”

Princess Shoba Shahi said:

“He (Dipendra) was still coming in and Dhirendra said ‘Babu, that’s enough’. He had just finished saying that when he was shot.”

Prince Paras said:

“We reached there a little after 7:30, about 7:40…The Crown Prince appeared like he had already had some cocktails…At around eight the Queen Mother came, (Dipendra had fetched her)…again he served drinks…At that time Dai (Dipendra) was with us inside, in the room where the incident took place…He fired three rounds as he came in…Bang, bang…Then he came in again…Dhirendra said ‘Baba, you have done enough damage’. No sooner had he said that, than bang-bang one hit him here (pointing). Then he fell…”

Prince Paras also said:

“Princess Sarada went to where Kumar Khadga had fallen, she lay over his body sobbing “What has happened to you, what has happened to you?” The crown prince came back and shot her at point blank range…”

Prince Paras said:

“By then the firing had stopped. Dai’s ADC came saying ‘He shot himself, he shot himself’. I asked him where was Bhai (Nirajan), he said he had been shot.”

Kumar Gorakh said:

“I heard gunshots, I thought it was crackers…He returned and picked out those who had been hurt, took aim and shot, took aim and shot…what else is there to say (weeps).”

Kumar Gorakh also said:

“Then my wife (Sruti) came to see what had happened to father. I said: ‘Baba, malai pani dagyo’ (I have also been hit). She took me in her lap, then he came and shot her. Both of us fell there and others came and took us to hospital.”

Rabi Sumshere Rana said:

“His Majesty just stood and watched…Then I saw blood gushing out of king’s side. I yelled: “Doctor!”. ... the King said ‘What have you done?’”

Rabi Sumshere Rana also said:

“He (Dipendra) had bolted out of the room. Then, in utter panic, I screamed for an ambulance…”

Ketaki Chester said:

“I saw him (Dipendra) coming in from the main door in combat uniform carrying two machine guns…Then I smelt something and told my sister this could be ammunition.”

Ketaki Chester also said:

“when Her Majesty ran out, ..., I saw Nirajan running after her…”

Captain Dr Rajeev Shahi said:

“I opened the coat and pressed the right side of his neck (to stop the bleeding). The king said “Rajeev, I’ve also been hit in my stomach”…Dhirendra Shah had tried to stop him saying ‘Baba what are you doing?’ and he was shot.”

Colonel Sunder Pratap Rana said:

“The time was…after nine, after nine…As soon as he stepped out, I heard gunshots and Her Majesty’s, a woman’s voice saying ‘call the doctor.’”

Colonel Sunder Pratap Rana also said:

“We checked his airways, bleeding and circulation, His Majesty had survive(d) the attack. We then put him in a car and left for the hospital.”

Major Ananta Keshar Shima said:

“A woman’s voice had ordered us to call a doctor…Then I tried to call a doctor from the office telephone… I went out towards the garden…we saw a body near a bend…recognized the Crown Prince and ordered the people with me to take him away.”

Major Gajendra Bohara said:

“I was working on the computer when Sunder Pratap said what happened? I stepped out and then heard the sound of firing…”

Major Gajendra Bohara also said:

“Then while I was turning around, I saw Prince Nirajan flat (sic)… sent him to hospital.”

Captain Chakra Shah said:

“After hearing ‘call the doctor, call the doctor’ we ran towards (the room).”

Santa Bahadur Khadka said:

“The Crown Prince was moving backwards with guns in two hands, he was moving backwards and the (woman in red) was in front of him…”

Bacchuram KC said:

“He had a gun in front…The firing started the moment (he entered) the room, then I became scared…”

Palace officials remark

A remark was included stating that when the first shots were fired, the Queen Mother remarked: “There he goes shooting cats again.”