International
Nepal’s ex-crown prince in court over gunshot case
Nepal’s ex-crown prince in court over gunshot case
March 03, 2011 | 12:00 AM
AFP/Kathmandu
Nepal’s former crown prince appeared in court on Thursday charged with disturbing the peace after allegedly firing his gun during a drunken argument with fellow guests at an upmarket hotel.
More than 1,000 cheering supporters greeted Paras Shah when he arrived in the southern town of Bharatpur for the hearing, which was not open to the media or the public.
Shah, 38, was arrested after getting into an argument on December 11 at the Tiger Tops resort in Chitwan, a national park and popular tourist attraction. He was later released on bail of Rs10,000 ($140).
One of the guests, Rubel Chaudhary, son-in-law of a prominent politician, accused the former royal of threatening to kill him and his family in a row over the role of the monarchy — a charge Shah has repeatedly denied.
"Paras Shah presented himself in accordance with an order from the authorities,” Basant Raj Gautam, chief officer for the southern district of Chitwan, who presided over the hearing, said.
He said he heard testimony from witnesses and was addressed by defence lawyers, before adjourning the hearing until March 16.
Shah became heir to the throne in 2001 after his cousin, former crown prince Dipendra, murdered nine members of his family including the king and queen in a drink-and-drugs-fuelled rampage before apparently turning his gun on himself.
Shah moved to Singapore with his wife and two children after parliament voted in 2008 to abolish the monarchy, but has since returned to Nepal.
If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a 10,000-rupee fine — equivalent to the bail money he has already paid.
The arrest of Shah, who as heir to the throne was notorious for his playboy lifestyle, caused shock in a country where the king was once revered as the reincarnation of a Hindu god, and the royal family seen as above the law.
Supporters of the royals held demonstrations demanding his release, but many other Nepalese welcomed what they saw as a overdue move to bring to justice a man who as crown prince enjoyed immunity from the law.
Shah was accused 10 years ago of killing a popular Nepalese musician in a suspected drink-driving incident outside the royal palace.
Mass street demonstrations called for him to be punished, but no charges were ever brought against him and an army officer later claimed responsibility for the incident.
| In this photo taken on January 25, 2004, Nepal’s former crown prince Paras Shah and princess Himani Rajyalakshmi Dev walk towards their car after their arrival in Bangalore |
More than 1,000 cheering supporters greeted Paras Shah when he arrived in the southern town of Bharatpur for the hearing, which was not open to the media or the public.
Shah, 38, was arrested after getting into an argument on December 11 at the Tiger Tops resort in Chitwan, a national park and popular tourist attraction. He was later released on bail of Rs10,000 ($140).
One of the guests, Rubel Chaudhary, son-in-law of a prominent politician, accused the former royal of threatening to kill him and his family in a row over the role of the monarchy — a charge Shah has repeatedly denied.
"Paras Shah presented himself in accordance with an order from the authorities,” Basant Raj Gautam, chief officer for the southern district of Chitwan, who presided over the hearing, said.
He said he heard testimony from witnesses and was addressed by defence lawyers, before adjourning the hearing until March 16.
Shah became heir to the throne in 2001 after his cousin, former crown prince Dipendra, murdered nine members of his family including the king and queen in a drink-and-drugs-fuelled rampage before apparently turning his gun on himself.
Shah moved to Singapore with his wife and two children after parliament voted in 2008 to abolish the monarchy, but has since returned to Nepal.
If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a 10,000-rupee fine — equivalent to the bail money he has already paid.
The arrest of Shah, who as heir to the throne was notorious for his playboy lifestyle, caused shock in a country where the king was once revered as the reincarnation of a Hindu god, and the royal family seen as above the law.
Supporters of the royals held demonstrations demanding his release, but many other Nepalese welcomed what they saw as a overdue move to bring to justice a man who as crown prince enjoyed immunity from the law.
Shah was accused 10 years ago of killing a popular Nepalese musician in a suspected drink-driving incident outside the royal palace.
Mass street demonstrations called for him to be punished, but no charges were ever brought against him and an army officer later claimed responsibility for the incident.
March 03, 2011 | 12:00 AM