Nut - very interesting analysis. I am not sure if I am with you fully on the retribution piece of this but the fact that Dr Giri is a genius in his own right has not escaped me. I do wonder, though, how King Gyanedra was thinking of using Dr Girir when he brought him on board and how Dr Giri has or has not lived up to the expectations of the King. I suspect the King saw him as someone who could tackle the parties at an intellectual and perhaps even moral level. With accusations like those that he is facing today, Dr Giri's moral standing has probably gone down several nothces which I think weakens his position as King Gyanendra's principal troublemaker for the parties. If he is to go, who is the Palace's next best troublemaker for the parties? Your guess is as good as mine - Surya Bahadur Thapa. I think there will be some change in palace guards soon if the palace is to protect itself from the relentless assault of the parties and Maoists. I think I have gone way beyond the depth of my political knowledge in trying to analyze this so I am going to stop :) Peace to you and may the days ahead bring good times for Nepal.