Nepal: Killings probe findings could be known tomorrow

Investigators appointed by Nepal’s new monarch to investigate the royal family massacre were racing today to complete it on time.

The two-man committee of Supreme Court Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhaya and House Speaker Taranath Ranabhat began the probe on June 8.

They were granted a four-day extension by King Gyanendra on Sunday, with the new deadline being today.

‘‘The committee will finish the work by its deadline. There is no question of another extension,’’ said Tourism Minister Omkar Shrestha.

The committee, appointed by Gyanendra, is investigating the killings of Nepal’s popular King Birendra, Queen Aiswarya and almost the entire Shah dynasty during a family dinner on June 1 at the Narayanhiti Palace.

Gyanendra, who came to power after King Birendra - his brother - was killed, promised to explain to Nepal’s people how the killings took place and what may have motivated them.

After the massacre, thousands of angry mourners rioted in Nepal for several days.

The investigation has interviewed more than 100 people, including eyewitnesses, staff at the royal palace, firearms and forensic experts, medical doctors and legal advisers in their week-long probe into the massacre, officials said.

Late on Wednesday night, the report was still being typed at the parliament secretariat, where the committee had its office.

The area was guarded by police and the military, and it was kept off limits to the media and the public.

Shrestha said the team would present the report to King Gyanendra before it is made public, which could be by tomorrow.

‘‘This is the highest level probe that can be done. So, if people don’t believe its findings, then who are they going to believe?’’ he said.

Many Nepalese don’t believe the account of a witness and relatives who said Crown Prince Dipendra gunned down his parents - the king and queen - and seven other royals during a family dinner.

Dipendra then fatally shot himself, according to the accounts.

Palace officials and other sources have said Dipendra quarrelled with his mother over his choice of a bride because the queen disapproved of the young woman.