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A high-level committee constituted by Nepal's new King Gyanendra to probe the June 1 palace massacre is expected to submit its report to the monarch after three days of investigations that would include inspecting the shooting site, interviewing survivors and conducting ballistic tests.
Headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Kesbah Prasad Upadhyaya, the two-member panel, which includes Speaker Taranath Rannbhat had earlier run into rough weather following the resignation of Leader of the Opposition Madhav Kumar Nepal questioning the constitutionality of the committee.
"We will inspect the venue of the shooting (in the palace), interview doctors, hostesses, survivors and record them, conduct ballistic and forensic tests with the help of experts," Ranabhat said.
The probe has begun amidst allegations levelled by two close relatives of the royal family that late crown prince Dipendra had shot and killed his father King Birendra, mother Queen Aishwarya and seven other royals at the Naryan Hity Palace last Friday night.
Asked if the panel's probe would be affected by the allegation made on Thursday by Captain Rajiv Shahi, a close relative of the royals, accusing Dipendra of the palace massacre, Ranabhat said "We are not concerned about anything anybody says.
"The committee is an authentic body to probe the royal massacre and we will individually interview all survivors and eyewitnesses," he said.
Rannbhat also said that the committee would listen only to what eyewitnesses would narrate before it and not what they have stated at press conferences.
On weather the panel would be able to meet the three-day dealine, he said, "We will try to submit our report within three days."
The terms of reference have been laid down by King Gyanendra giving sweeping powers to the committee to conduct its investigation including interviewing the surviving royals.
The announcement of the panel was made by the King over state radio and television on Monday in the wake wide-spread protests demanding an impartial probe into the palace killings.
At least six persons were killed, scores including police personnel were injured and hundreds were arrested during the violence that led to imposition of curfew in Kathmandu for three days.
Meanwhile, normalcy has returned even though police continued to maintain a strict vigil across the capital.
PTI
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