Nepal has decided to reopen the investigation into the 2001 royal massacre, one of the most shocking and significant events in the country's modern history. The announcement was made on Tuesday by reappointed Home Minister Sudan Gurung immediately after he returned to office for a second term.

The move signals a fresh effort by the government to revisit a case that has remained controversial for nearly 25 years. Gurung said that all records related to previous investigations would be reviewed as part of a renewed probe into the killings that changed the course of Nepal’s history.

Gurung had earlier resigned from the cabinet after facing allegations of financial irregularities and illegal accumulation of assets. However, a committee formed by the government investigated the claims and cleared him of wrongdoing. Following the committee's findings, he was reappointed to the cabinet.

The massacre took place on the night of June 1, 2001, inside the Narayanhiti Palace in Kathmandu. During a family gathering, several members of Nepal’s royal family were killed. Among the victims were King Birendra Shah, Queen Aishwarya, Crown Prince Nirajan, Princess Shruti and several other close relatives.

According to the official investigation conducted at the time, 29-year-old Crown Prince Dipendra was responsible for the shootings. Investigators concluded that he opened fire on members of the royal family before turning the weapon on himself. The report stated that the incident occurred amid family tensions and after alcohol consumption.

The findings said that Dipendra, dressed in military fatigues, killed his father King Birendra, his mother Queen Aishwarya, his brother Crown Prince Nirajan, his sister Princess Shruti and five other relatives. After carrying out the attack, he allegedly shot himself. The official report claimed that Dipendra acted out of anger because his parents opposed his wish to marry Devyani Rana, the woman he loved.

Although the investigation provided an official explanation for the killings, many people remained unconvinced. The conclusions drawn by investigators have continued to face scrutiny over the years, leading to widespread speculation and numerous conspiracy theories.

The original inquiry was carried out by a government-appointed probe committee led by then Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyaya and then Speaker of Parliament Taranath Ranabhat. The committee submitted its report within a week of the massacre.

After conducting what many critics described as a brief investigation, the panel concluded that Crown Prince Dipendra was responsible for the deaths of nine members of the royal family. The findings were later accepted by the state and became the official account of what happened inside the palace that night.

Despite this, questions surrounding the massacre never completely disappeared. Critics and members of the public continued to raise doubts about several aspects of the case. Concerns were expressed over the forensic evidence, the way the crime scene was handled and the speed with which the investigation was completed.

Over the years, these unanswered questions have fuelled public debate and speculation. Many people have argued that important details were never fully explained. As a result, the royal massacre remains one of the most debated and mysterious events in Nepal’s history.

The decision to reopen the case comes at a time when the monarchy has long been abolished in Nepal. Even so, the tragedy continues to hold deep emotional and historical significance for many citizens. By reviewing the old investigation records and launching a fresh probe, the government hopes to revisit the unresolved issues that have surrounded the case for decades.

Whether the renewed investigation will provide new answers remains uncertain. However, the move has once again brought national attention to a tragedy that shook Nepal and left a lasting impact on the country’s political and social landscape.