Bid to take away Hitler's gift foiled at Nepal Narayanhiti Palace

Kathmandu, June 16 : Some former Nepal royals allegedly tried to take away the Daimler Benz car, Adolf Hitler's gift to King Tribhuvan, from the Narayanhiti Palace just a couple of days before former King Gyanendra left the palace but were prevented from doing so.

Kantipur quoted Palace sources as saying that an attempt was made to take the Daimler Benz out of the palace in middle of the night last Sunday, but the bid was foiled after the security there did not allow a crane to enter the palace premises.

Even government sources confirmed that the bid was foiled. But both the palace and government sources refused to identify the former royals who wanted to take away the antique 1938-model Mercedes Benz that is inside the palace, which was turned into a public museum on Sunday.

Officials said that they are planning to keep the vintage car inside the museum as a showpiece. The 1938- model car is said to be in a very bad condition.

The car was in the garage of Thapathali Engineering Campus and was being used for training mechanics before being brought inside the palace three years ago.

King Tribhuvan, grandfather of Gyanendra, used to drive around in the car when the Kathmandu valley had no other motor transport.

ANI