Pubdate: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
Source: Hindu, The (India)
Copyright: 2001 The Hindu
Contact:  http://www.the-hindu.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/874

'DIPENDRA RAMPAGE FUELLED BY COCAINE'

LONDON, JUNE 10. The Nepalese crown Prince, Prince Dipendra, gunned down 
his family after binging on cocaine and whisky following an ultimatum from 
his father to choose between the throne and the woman he loved, media 
reports said here today.

After days of wrestling with his dilemma, the Eton-educated 29- year-old 
Prince ran amok on the fateful night, killing his parents and seven others.

The reports said King Birendra confronted the Prince with a choice between 
marriage to his girlfriend, which would have excluded him from the 
succession, and an arranged match with a courtier's daughter.

Quoting a source close to the family, the Sunday Times wrote ``alcohol had 
been found in his bloodstream when he was treated in hospital after 
murdering the king, queen and seven other family members.''
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