Dipendra of Nepal

Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (दीपेन्द्र वीर विक्रम शाह देव) (27 June 1971– 4 June 2001) was King of Nepal for three days from 1 to 4 June 2001.

For the duration of his three-day reign he was in a coma after he had shot his father, King Birendra, his mother, Queen Aishwarya, his younger brother and sister, five other members of the royal family and himself on 1 June.

Upon Dipendra's death, his paternal uncle Gyanendra became king.

Dipendra was born on 27 June 1971 at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace as the eldest child of Birendra, the Crown Prince of Nepal, and Princess Aishwarya.

In his family he was known as "CP" and famously as "Dippy" among his friends.

Dipendra received his early education from Kanti Ishwori High School, Kathmandu.

He then went to Budhanilkantha School in Kathmandu.

Later, he attended Eton College in the United Kingdom.

After Eton, he attended Tri Chandra college affiliated with Tribhuvan University in Nepal and later joined the Military Academy in Kharipati, Nepal.

He studied Geography at Tribhuvan University for his master's degree and was an all Nepal topper receiving a gold medal.

He was a PhD. student at the same university.

He received military training from the Academy of Royal Nepalese Gurkha Army and pilot training from the Civil Aviation Department.

Dipendra was interested in the fields of social service and sports.

He attended various national and international sports ceremonies where Nepalese players participated.

Dipendra became a karateka when he was studying in England and received a black belt at around the age of 20.

He was a patron of the National Sports Council and Nepal's Scouts.

Dipendra also wrote articles that were published in Nepalese periodicals.

His writings were often on the motifs of nationhood and nationality.

Other theories allege that Dipendra was unhappy with the country's shift from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy, and that too much power had been given away following the 1990 People's Movement.

Much controversy surrounds the circumstances of the massacre, and even today, with the monarchy abolished, many questions remain within Nepal about its cause.

Sources of the yet unanswered questions include details such as the apparent lack of security at the event; the absence of Prince Gyanendra, Dipendra's uncle who succeeded him, from the party; the fact that, despite being right-handed, Dipendra's self-inflicted head-wound was located at his left temple; and finally that the subsequent investigation lasted for only two weeks and did not involve any major forensic analysis.

On 1 June 2001, Dipendra opened fire at a house on the grounds of the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, the residence of the Nepalese monarchy, where a party was being held.

He shot and killed his father, King Birendra, his mother, Queen Aishwarya, his younger brother and sister and other members of the royal family before shooting himself in the head.

Because the king was now dead, he as crown prince became king while in a comatose state from the head wound.

His motive for the murders is unknown, but there are various theories.

Dipendra desired to marry Devyani Rana, the daughter of an Indian princess whom he had met in England, but due to her father's lower caste and her father's political alliances, Dipendra's parents objected; he was told that he would have to give up his claim to the throne in order to marry her.