The nationwide movement forced the king to hand over the power he had wrested through a coup and agree to an election in which the elected representatives overwhelmingly voted for the abolition of monarchy in May 2008.

Once the only Hindu kingdom in the world and now a secular republic, Nepal has also been seeking to implement a ceiling on private property owned by its former royals, nationalise the extensive lands and palaces Gyanendra had inherited from his assassinated brother Birendra and locate the money and other assets of the former royal dynasty stashed away in banks abroad.

Though Gyanendra had in the past ignored several calls by the earlier governments to disclose the extent of his property, the olive branch now indicates he has come to grips with his changed status.

In the past, the king as well as his family remained above the law. During his 14-month army-backed direct rule, the king had passed an act that made any criticism of him or his family members a punishable offence.