Kathmandu: Nepalese authorities on Wednesday
remanded former crown prince Paras Shah to three days of
custody over a case of firing after an argument with the
relatives of Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala, even as he
claimed that he was suffering from a heart ailment.
District Administration Office (DAO), Basant Raj
Gautam remanded Paras for three days on a public offence
allegation.
Shah is accused of firing an illegal pistol inside the
Chitwan National Park during a brawl with daughter and
son-in-law of Koirala. Paras, the only son of the deposed king
Gyanendra was notorious for his playboy lifestyle and had got
into several escapades in the Nepalese capital`s night spots.
"Police will either present his papers or himself to
me after the investigation, then there will be decision on
either his case should be taken to the court or dismissed,"
Gautam was quoted as saying by MyRepublica.com.
Shah, who has been kept in the police custody in
Bharatpur, has sought his release, saying he has a heart
condition and needs regular treatment for it. He has expressed
readiness to be present when required. Shah`s personal doctors
are expected to reach Bharatpur today.
Rubel Chaudhary, son-in-law of Sujata has accused that
Shah opened fire with the attempt of murder.
However, Shah has denied the charges saying that he
just fired in the air out of anger after a debate in the Tiger
Tops Jungle Resort.
Chaudhary told media that the firing was linked with
abolition of monarchy by the Koirala family two and half years
ago. This was for the first time that a member of the
erstwhile royal family has been arrested after a country-wide
warrant was issued against him.
The arrest came after major political parties
including Nepali Congress and the Maoists, joined forces to
demand that the prince be arrested.
Meanwhile, at least 27 people were arrested here today
as they protested against the arrest of Paras.
They were arrested for breaking laws and trying to
vandalise public property, said Kedar Dhakal, Deputy
Superintendent of Police at Metropolitan Police Circle,
Kathmandu.
The police had also arrested Khovari Ray, a lawmaker
yesterday for blocking the roads in Kathmandu to show protest
against the incident and was freed after few hours.
They were arrested from different places including
Ratnapark area of Kathmandu. Cadres of pro-royalist Rastriya
Prajatantra Party-Nepal and other groups have been organising
protests against the arrest of the former crown prince.
Demonstrations were also held in Janakpur in Dhanusha
district of southern Nepal and markets were partially closed
in Chitawan district, where the ex-crown prince is detained.
PTI
