Narayanhiti Palace massacre marks 25 years, truth still debated

The Narayanhiti Palace massacre, which led to the annihilation of the then King Birendra’s family, marks its 25th anniversary. On the night of Jestha 19, 2058 BS, during a family gathering, King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, Crown Prince Dipendra, Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti, and eight others were brutally killed within the palace.

More than two decades have passed since this tragic event, yet the truth remains shrouded in mystery. Immediately following the incident, a high-level investigation committee was formed under the chairmanship of the then Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay.

The report prepared by this committee stated that Crown Prince Dipendra killed his family members and then shot himself. However, the majority of the public has not accepted this conclusion to date. Despite commitments from every government and prime minister since the establishment of the republic to uncover the truth of the palace massacre, no concrete investigation or new facts have been made public.

After the end of the 240-year monarchy and the establishment of the republic, the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, which witnessed the large-scale massacre, has been transformed into a museum. Opened to the public on Magh 16, 2065 BS, the Narayanhiti Palace Museum has developed into a major tourist attraction.

Tourists, both domestic and international, especially those visiting the Thamel and Durbar Marg areas of Kathmandu, are drawn to the museum out of historical curiosity. Since its inception, millions of tourists have visited, many of whom remember the dark day of Jestha 19 and ponder the unanswered question, “Who really fired the shots?”