Today in history: Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal shoots and kills several members of his family including his father and mother.

 

Today in history On June 1, 2001 – Nepalese royal massacre: Crown Prince Dipendra of Nepal shoots and kills several members of his family including his father and mother.

The Nepalese royal massacre occurred on the night of June 1, 2001, and remains one of the most shocking tragedies in modern monarchy. Crown Prince Dipendra, heir to the Nepalese throne, reportedly shot and killed nine members of the royal family, including his father, King Birendra, his mother, Queen Aishwarya, and his younger brother, Prince Nirajan. The massacre took place during a family gathering at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu. According to official reports, Dipendra opened fire while intoxicated and possibly under the influence of drugs. After killing his family members, he turned the gun on himself. He slipped into a coma and was declared king while unconscious, dying three days later from his self-inflicted wounds.

The motive behind Dipendra’s actions has been widely speculated. One of the most discussed theories is that he was enraged over his parents' opposition to his desire to marry Devyani Rana, a woman considered unsuitable by the royal family. Other theories have pointed to mental instability, frustration with the monarchy’s declining power, or possible political conspiracies. The official inquiry concluded that Dipendra was solely responsible for the massacre, but skepticism remains widespread in Nepal, with many believing the truth was either suppressed or remains more complex than the official account suggests.

The massacre marked the end of an era in Nepal. With King Birendra and most of the immediate royal family dead, the throne passed to Gyanendra, Dipendra’s uncle, who was not present during the massacre. Gyanendra’s rule was controversial and short-lived; growing unrest and dissatisfaction with the monarchy led to the abolition of the Nepalese monarchy in 2008, transforming Nepal into a federal democratic republic. The tragedy of 2001 did not just claim lives—it shattered a centuries-old institution and deeply traumatized the nation, leaving behind questions that are still debated today.