Unemployed Defendants In Royal Abduction Case "Needed Money For Wedding"

international | crime and justice | news report Monday January 11, 2010 07:30 by Rose Kelleher - Rose Kelleher rose_kelleher at hotmail dot com

This is a story about problems of security faced by former members of the royal Nepali family. A former princess was threatened and the perpetrators are being brought to justice in Kathmandu This article covers the details of the court case.

The pair accused of trying to extort a 10 million rupee ransom from former princess Rajya Laxmi Devi Singh needed money for their wedding, it has been revealed in court today.

Rajesh Hamal (32), and Pratikshy Ratna Shah (27) of Nepalgunj appeared in Katmandu District Court today facing charges of attempted abduction and extortion of the former royal.

Counsel for the defense told the court that his client had lost his job as a picker of Yarshagumba, a herbal aphrodisiac found high in the mountains of Nepal, known as “Nepali Viagra” earlier this year. He claims that his loss of income left him unable to pay for his upcoming wedding to his co-accused, Ms. Shah.

The court heard that Mr. Hamal sent three text messages to Mrs. Singh's mobile last month. The first SMS, sent November 11, contained a threat to kill her husband and young son if she didn't produce a 10 million rupee ransom.

A second SMS, asking “Don't you love your husband and son? Are you ignoring this message?” was sent from Mr. Hamal's mobile phone on November 15, after the first demand for money was ignored.

The accused were arrested on November 23 after Ms. Singh's husband, worried about the welfare of their school-going son, alerted the police to the text messages. The police traced the SIM card to Mr. Hamal's nephew, who led them to the accused who were staying in a guesthouse in Katmandu. Police filed a charge sheet on December 11.

Mr Hamal admitted to police in a recorded statement that he sent the text messages, adding that he had been “very respectful” in his address to the former princess, using the polite form of greeting “Namaste” and “Sarkar” to convey his respect.

He told the court today that he obtained the personal mobile phone number of Ms. Singh, daughter of deposed King Gyanendra, from his girlfriend, a former secretary to the princess.

In Nepal, the crime of attempted abduction carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. The prosecution said it would seek a minimum 7 year jail term for Mr. Hamal for the failed abduction attempt, according to Section 5 of the Abduction Chapter, Muluki Ain 1963.

Local businessman Mr. Rajendra Subedee, like many Nepalis, has been following the case closely. He expressed shock and sadness at the events that were revealed in court today. “The monarchy inspired fear and respect in society in the past. It is outrageous to hear how our former first family is being treated.” says Mr. Subedee. The case is causing a stir in Nepal, where until recently the country was governed by an absolute monarchy until the King was deposed in favour of democratic elections in 2008.

Presiding judge Madhav Pokhrel ordered Mr. Hamal to be remanded in custody pending his next court appearance. Ms. Shah, who claims to have been unaware of her fiancees actions, has been released on bail. Judge Pokhrel has adjourned the case until January 12.