Asked what made him plan the destruction of the royal family, he claimed he had information that the members of the royal family had siphoned away the money received as aid from foreign donors.

Had that incredible wealth been invested in Nepal, it would have transformed the economy of a nation that is among the poorest in the world, racked by foreign debts, the man said.

Sherchan also claimed that he had repeatedly asked the royal family to invest part of their money in Nepal. But they refused and even jailed him for 38 months, compelling him to plot the murder.

The claim was greeted by stunned disbelief and even derision.

However, Nepal's major media ignored the claim while the lightweights poked fun at Sherchan, calling his claim an elaborate April Fool joke.