The death of singer Praveen Gurung in a hit-and-run last month on 6 August has taken a new turn after police released Khadga Bahadur Bhujel, who had claimed responsibility for the accident. Bhujel was released after three weeks in custody. He was reportedly released under orders from the Home Ministry. The government decision came after it was reported that a letter from the Royal Palace to a leftist student leader said that King Birendra had sought details on the accident from the government.

The All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) had spearheaded a campaign to collect over 500,000 signatures to petition King Birendra to take action against his nephew Paras Shah, who is alleged to have been at the wheel of the Pajero that hit Gurung. The ANNFSU and six other leftist organisations affiliated to the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) are now demanding that the government make public the details of the accident.