Shrish Shumsher Rana

Shrish Shumsher Rana (File Photo)
The high-level judicial commission formed to investigate into the atrocities committed by the erstwhile royal regime during the people’s movement-II interrogated former minister of state for information and communication, Shrish Shumsher Rana, and two others, on Sunday.

Keshav Raj Rajbhandari

Keshav Raj Rajbhandari (File Photo)
Commission members interrogated Rana, who was the spokesperson of the then royal government, Chief Election Commissioner Keshav Raj Rajbhandari and suspended Inspector General of the Police Shyam Bhakta Thapa at the commission’s office in Hahihar Bhawan in connection with their alleged role in brutal clampdown on the people’s movement in April.

After interrogation, Rana told reporters that he was ready to accept moral responsibility, as a member of the then cabinet, for the incidents that took place during the 19-day long movement.

He is considered one of the kingpins of the royal regime. He is accused of making hefty cash handouts to pro-palace medias and advising the King to deal toughly with the pro-democracy movement.

Before Rana’s interrogation, the commission had interrogated Rajbhandari, who resigned today from his post in the wake of preparations by the seven parties to impeach him in the parliament, for four hours from 9:00 a.m.

Similarly, the commission grilled dismissed IGP Thapa for nearly five hours, probably the longest interrogation so far.

Shaym Bhakta Thapa

Shaym Bhakta Thapa (File Photo)
Emerging out of the questioning, Thapa conceded that atrocities did take place against the agitators but claimed that he did not give orders for suppression. “Concerned people should be held accountable for the clampdown,” he said.

Meanwhile, chief of the dissolved Raj Parishad, Parasu Narayan Choudhary, failed to appear before the commission for interrogation even after a summon notice.

He cited bad health for not being able to present himself before the commission, it is learnt.