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Nepal probe panel to
submit report on Thursday

The much awaited report of the high-level committee probing the June 1 palace massacre, will be submitted to King Gyanendra on Thursday, when the Himalayan kingdom will observe the 11th day ritual of the late Crown Prince and later King Dipendra, who allegedly committed the gruesome killings.

"I am fully confident that the report will be submitted to King Gyanendra on Thursday and after perusing it, his majesty will hand it back to the panel, which will declare it publicly either on Thursday or the day after in the morning," Nepal Tourism Minister Omkar Shreshtha said.

Scotching reports that the panel headed by Chief Justice Keshab Prasad Upadhyaya would seek a further extension to submit the report, a palace spokesman said King Gyanendra has not received any petition from the committee so far in this regard.

The panel, set up by King Gyanendra in the wake of widespread protests over the palace massacre, was to submit its report within three days on Sunday, but sought an extension of four days to collect forensic and medical reports.

Though the king had announced the setting up of the panel on Monday, it could begin work only on Friday, as a members, leader of the opposition, Madhav Nepal resigned from it as it was instituted by the monarch and not the cabinet, as per the constitution.

The committee, which includes Speaker of the Lower House Taranath Ranabhat, has visited the shooting site at the Narayanhity palace and interviewed several persons, including members of the royal family, besides gathering forensic and medical evidence.

Two close relatives of the royal family had publicly alleged that late Crown Prince Dipendra had gunned down the royals. The panel has also reportedly sought a report in writing from Devyani Rana, said to be the girlfriend of Dipendra.

According to initial reports, Dipendra allegedly killed the royals following their objections to his plans to marry Devyani.

Preparations are afoot at the Kalmochan ghat on the banks of the River Bagmati for a religious ceremony to mark the 11th day ritual of the late Crown Prince Dipendra. As per tradition, a Brahmin priest will be fed with katto and sent to exile, out of Kathmandu valley, on an elephant, symbolising passage of the soul to its heavenly abode.

The 13th day ritual of the late King Birendra was not observed as Wednesday is considered inauspicious in Nepal. It will be observed on Saturday, along with that of Dipendra, palace sources said.

Meanwhile, security in Kathmandu valley has been tightened.

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