King's aide and others grilled by Judicial Commission

Kathmandu, June 30 (UNI) The high level Judicial Commission constituted to probe into suppression of the Nepalese people's movement today questioned two royal aides and two senior police officers.

Royal aide and former Army Chief Satchit Shumsher Rana and Royal cabinet Minister Niranjan Thapa were grilled by the Commission headed by former Supreme Court Judge Krishna Jung Rayamajhi over their roles in suppressing the April democratic movement in which at least 23 people lost their lives and hundreds suffered injuries, torture and threats.

The Commission also questioned former additional inspector general (AIG) of Nepal Police, Krishna Basnet and former AIG of Armed Police Force, Raviraj Thapa. The two top Policemen were suspended by the present Government on the recommendation of the Commission a month ago.

The Commission had summoned the four in connection with the probe into use of excessive force to suppress the democratic movement when they were in power.

The Commission had grilled vice-chairman of the royal cabinet Dr Tulsi Giri, his cabinet colleague former minister Badri Prasad Mandal and junior minister Nikshya Shumshere Rana for the same charges on Tuesday.

The Commission which was formed to probe into suppression of the people's movement had vowed to examine King Gynendra's actions during his direct rule.

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