[JURIST] A high-level Nepalese commission probing the crackdown on the pro-democracy uprising [JURIST report; JURIST news archive] in April of this year that eventually led to the restoration of parliamentary government summoned three former royal ministers Sunday, including a top deputy of King Gyanendra [official profile]. The three members of the King’s former royal government who face questioning for their role in suppressing the people’s revolt in April are Dr Tulsi Giri, Badri Mandal and Nikshya SJB Rana. Giri was vice-chairman of the royal government and a hardliner considered to be a stanch supporter of absolute monarchy.

The former royal ministers have been asked to be present before the commission’s office in person on Tuesday before 11 AM local time. The probe commission has held them responsible for the killing of 21 protestors and the injuring of some five thousand more during the 19-day long pro-democracy campaign.

Led by former Supreme Court Justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, the Commission was formed on May 5 to investigate human rights violations and misuse of state coffers by the King’s government. It plans to interrogate several former royal ministers, King Gyanendra’s top aides and security officials in connection with their roles in suppressing the pro-democracy movement.

Kiran Chapagain is a special correspondent for JURIST writing from Nepal. He is an Assistant Senior Reporter for the Kathmandu Post.