source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6161181.stm

King Gyanendra of Nepal and his son, Crown Prince Paras, have been forced to pay tax - reportedly for the first time in the history of the monarchy.

Officials at Kathmandu's international airport say the king and the prince were charged customs duties on imported goods this week.

The king, revered as a Hindu god by many followers, had his powers stripped away by the government this year.

He was forced to surrender absolute power after weeks of street protests.

In May, the government said the king should be subject to taxation.

'According to law'

"The customs office at the Tribhuvan International Airport charged a total of 130,893 rupees ($1,817 dollars) as duty and tax to release 50 torches and a hunting trophy," Lok Darshan Regmi, the head of the airport customs department said, the AFP news agency reports.

"Palace officials took away the parcel after paying the amount Wednesday. We imposed the tax according to the law," Mr Regmi said.

It is not clear why the king wanted so many torches.

King Gyanendra seized power in a royal coup in 2005, saying that the civilian government was failing to deal with the Maoist insurgency.

But the Maoists and a seven-party opposition grouping formed an alliance to end his rule.

A constituent assembly is due to be established next year that will decide on whether the monarchy should be abolished.

I bet they are going to use the torches to light the underground tunnel under the royal palace.

Saroj, you might be right. They are probably scared that some day people might run into their palace in mass, French Revolution style, so they probably have built or are building escape routes for such scenarios. It is not a far fetched thought.

Dherai ufri raa thiyo thikka paryo.

The king, revered as a Hindu god .................what the F*ck!??

" bet they are going to use the torches to light the underground tunnel under the royal palace. "
Why can't they just use electricity.. or teo nepal ma pouncha ni "Emergency light"....
Bullllll $hit

torches are simply used for hunting at night.. dont be so paranoid.

does Girija pay tax?

No girija eat tax

I think Dick Chenny should be a hunting partner with Gyanendra.

THERE IS NO GOD KING.

And while on the topic of Gyanendra and Paras Shah paying taxes: it's time to pay income and property taxes...