Former King Gyanendra Shah Flies Back to Kathmandu by Helicopter

Jhapa – Former King Gyanendra Shah, after spending nearly three months in Jhapa, returned to Kathmandu on Friday aboard a helicopter, departing from Damak Municipality-9, where he had been residing at the Himalayan Mahalaxmi T-Estate, a site locally known as the “mini palace.”

A helicopter from Kailash Air transported Shah back to the capital. Meanwhile, the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party and several royalist groups had organized plans for a grand welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport, complete with rallies and demonstrations.

Supporters intended to escort the former monarch in a procession from the airport to his residence in Maharajgunj’s Nirmal Niwas. But in anticipation of large crowds and potential security challenges, the Kathmandu District Administration Office issued a prohibitory order around the airport. Under the order, no assemblies of more than five people — including sit-ins, demonstrations, rallies, or public meetings — are permitted in and around the airport for the next month.

With the ban in place, security was tightened around the airport even as royalist leaders continued to call for a significant welcome.