Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Kirtinidhi Bista. (File photo)
The judicial commission formed to investigate into the atrocities by the erstwhile royal regime during the people’s movement-II interrogated former Vice Chairman of the royal cabinet, Kirtinidhi Bista, Sharad Chandra Shah, one of the advisors of the King, and two others.

The commission interrogated Bista for nearly two hours. Talking to reporters after the interrogation, Bista said he was ready to take responsibility, as the vice-chairman of then government, for the incidents during the people’s movement but claimed that then cabinet was not involved in the killings.

He said he was ready to face jail sentence if the commission finds him guilty of atrocities against the agitators.

Likewise, Shah denied that he worked as King Gyanendra’s undeclared advisor during the royal regime. “I was not the advisor of the King. I have not given any advices,” said he.

Sharad Chandra Shaha
(Photo source : unlimit.com)

One of the 13 persons in the watch list issued by the commission, Shah had flied to Bangkok mysteriously last week but returned to Kathmandu on Sunday. He said he had gone to Bangkok to attend a conference.

The Rayamajhi commission also interrogated former secretary at the science and technology ministry, Bal Krishna Prasain, and former DIG of Nepal Police, Ashok Shrestha, in connection with their role in suppressing the movement.

The Commission has already interrogated the no. two in the royal cabinet, Dr. Tulsi Giri, other former ministers and police officials in connection with their alleged role in suppressing the people’s movement.

At least 21 people had died and over 4000 others were injured in action by security personnel during the course of the people’s movement in April this year.

The government had set up a five-member commission led by former Justice at the Supreme Court, Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, last month with the mandate to identify those responsible in suppressing the movement and recommend action against them.