Former king Gyanendra Shah rejects Kathmandu Mayor’s fine over protest damages

Former King Gyanendra Shah has refused to accept a penalty letter from Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), which ordered him to pay 793,000 Nepali rupees for damages and littering caused during violent pro-monarchy protests in the capital city on March 28.

A team of officials from the Mayor’s office attempted to hand-deliver the notice to the former monarch’s residence, Nirmal Niwas, on March 30, but security personnel at the gate turned them away, refusing to receive the letter, sources told Education Post.

The fine was imposed under the Kathmandu Metropolitan Environment and Natural Resource Conservation Act, 2077 BS, and the KMC Financial Act. The Metropolis assessed the damage following clashes, which left two people dead, and saw incidents of vandalism and arson in areas like Tinkune and Koteshwor.

The former king has been accused of instigating the protests, which were led by his supporters demanding the restoration of the monarchy. The refusal to accept the penalty raises questions about accountability for public disorder and damage.

Tensions erupted across parts of Kathmandu as pro-monarchy demonstrators, rallying behind Shah’s call for reinstating the monarchy, clashed with security forces on March 28.

Protesters pelted stones, attacked a political party’s office, torched vehicles, and looted shops in the Tinkune-Baneshwor area, triggering chaos in the city.

The clashes prompted authorities to impose a curfew in parts of the capital city, including the most affected places — Teen Gunay, Sena Mangal, Gowshala, and Baneshwar.

In response to the damages, the mayor dispatched a letter (accessed by Education Post) to Shah demanding 7,93,000 Nepali rupees as compensation.

The protests were spearheaded by Durga Prasai, a key pro-monarchy figure who had met Gyanendra a day earlier to receive directives for the agitation.

Demonstrators have been actively rallying since February’s Democracy Day, emboldened by Gyanendra’s statement: “Time has come for us to assume responsibility to protect the country and bring about national unity.”