He would get involved in numerous scuffles in discos and bars, and in fits of rage he would fire in the air. In that sense, he did not do anything new at the jungle resort in Chitwan, Sunday night. The only thing new this time round was that he did not have the royalty cover that used to provide him absolute impunity. Now he will, hopefully, face the law as a common citizen of the country.
The police are yet to formally charge Paras, so we don´t know what legal course awaits him. As we see it, this is a clear case of illegal possession and use of a firearm by the former crown prince. He has admitted in a press statement that he did fire in the air with a pistol he was not authorized to carry. Only in extraordinary circumstances is a person allowed to carry such a weapon and the decision to allow is taken by the cabinet. In the case of Paras no such decision was taken. We don´t see here a case of attempted murder, as some people argue. Rubel Choudhary, the person he misbehaved with, wasn´t the target of his pistol. Choudhary himself has said that Paras fired in the air. Every punishment should be commensurate with the crime committed-- we hope the police won´t seek anything more, or less.
With one gunshot, Paras seems to have shattered the ongoing image-makeover project of the former royals. Gyanendra and his family were carefully trying to cast themselves in a different light-- detached from their past image of arrogance and opulence. Paras´ wife Himani opened the Himani Trust only a few months ago to engage herself in social work.
The Shah family had become so conscious about their public image that Paras also decided to do away with his ponytail to cultivate a more friendly, gentlemanly profile. And Himinai reportedly removed an ornamental ring piercing the navel area after friends suggested that it wouldn´t be admired by common Nepalis, especially in rural settings. But the resort incident has once again reminded the Nepali people that their former crown prince is still a trigger-happy guy, someone who cannot control himself once he is under the influence. Happy hibernation ahead, Paras!
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