Current Events

Royal Sikh Heiress Wins Battle over 3-Billion-Dollar Maharaja's Estate

SHAILEE DOGRA

After 23 years of legal battle, at last the daughters of the erstwhile Maharaja of the Sikh Kingdom of Faridkot, Harinder Singh, will inherit his huge property, as the court ruled that the will entitling a trust as its caretaker was forged.

Chief Judicial Magistrate, Rajnish Kumar Sharma, pronounced the order on  Thursday, July 25, 2013, based on a petition from Amrit Kaur, eldest daughter of Maharaja Harinder Singh, challenge to the will.

The ruling declaring the will “forged and fabricated” brings Amrit Kaur and her sister, Deepinder Kaur, the estate and assets worth Rs. 20,000 crore [equivalent to over US$ 3.33 billion].

The court declared that the will forged on June 1, 1982, was “illegal and void”, and with the order, the trust had also become “illegal”.

Of the Maharaja’s three daughters, Amrit Kaur settled in Sector 10, Chandigarh; Deepinder Kaur moved to Kolkata, and Maheepinder Kaur died some years ago in Shimla under mysterious circumstances.

In 1981, when the will was forged, the ruler was in depression because of the death of Tikka Harmohinder Singh, his only son.

On June 1, 1982, his servants, in connivance with some unscrupulous people and lawyers, forged the will, and the family -- including the Maharaja’s wife and mother (alive then) -- remained unaware of the creation of the forged document.

Executed after about eight months of Tikka’s death, the will raised Meharwal Khewaji Trust and made all the Maharaja’s servants and lawyers, besides some other people, trustees.

The younger daughter, Deepinder Kaur, was appointed trust chairman on the meagre salary of Rs. 1,200 a month (US $ 20); and Maheepinder Kaur was appointed vice-chairman and given a pay of Rs. 1,000 a month.

The document divested Amrit Kaur of all powers of heiress, stating that she had married against the Maharaja’s wishes.

The will came to light in 1989 after the erstwhile ruler’s death. In 1992, Amrit Kaur filed a suit that her father had never made any will and she had remained with him till his death.

WILL’S SECRET

When the will was forged, Raja Harinder Singh was in depression because of the death of his son. The will, if genuine, could only have been created under influence and pressure.

The suspicion arose as the will purported that the Maharaja had excluded his wife, Narinder Kaur, as well as his mother, Mohinder Kaur, and appointed all employees, irrespective of class and designation, trustees.

THE LONG BATTLE

The 23-year-long fight for the royal inheritance could easily be among one of the longest battles in the legal history of this region.

But the wait was worth it for the Maharaja’s daughter who had challenged the “will” entitling a trust as caretaker of the royal assets including forts, palatial houses, hundreds of acre of prime land, heritage jewelry, vintage cars and a hefty bank balance.

At stake were properties worth a whopping US $ 3.33 billion which the Maharaja of Faridkot was allowed to keep after independence.

GENESIS OF THE DISPUTE

Maharaja Harinder Singh, crowned at the age of three in 1918, was the last ruler of the Faridkot estate and was married to Narinder Kaur. The royal couple had three daughters, Amrit Kaur, Deepinder Kaur and Maheepinder Kaur and one son, Tikka Harmohinder Singh. His son died in a road accident in 1981.

WHO FILED THE CASE?

Amrit Kaur, settled in Chandigarh, filed a civil suit in the local district court, challenging the will. Her contention was that her father could not have legally bequeathed his entire estate to the trust because it was ancestral property governed by the law. She also questioned the authenticity of the will with the following arguments:

·       The Maharaja was not in a fit state of mind and the alleged will was created under influence and pressure
·       Exclusion of his wife, Narinder Kaur and mother, Mohinder Kaur
·       Appointment of all the employees, irrespective of their class and designation, as trustees
·       Will is invalid, as one of the attesting witness, namely, Brijinder Singh Brar, is a beneficiary himself.
 
WHAT WAS AT STAKE?

The royal riches include heritage properties and prime land in four states (Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana) and the union territory of Chandigarh. Here is a list of movable and immovable properties which the daughters have won back:
 
Rajmahal, Faridkot: Spread over 14 acres, it was constructed in 1885 as the royal residence. Now, a 150-bed charitable hospital stands on a portion of palace grounds.
 
Qila Mubarak, Faridkot: Built by Raja Mokulsi and reconstructed by Raja Hamir Singh around 1775, it is spread over 10 acres. The present main building was built around 1890.
 
Faridkot House, New Delhi: Located on a huge piece of prime land on Copernicus Marg, it is currently leased to Central government at a monthly rent of Rs. 1.75 million. Valued at Rs. 12 billion nine years ago. Also, there is one more property in posh Diplomatic Enclave.
 
Manimajra Fort, Chandigarh: Spread over spread four acres, it is at least 350-years-old. The city administration had planned to develop the fort as tourist destination. Decision deferred due to the legal battle.
 
Faridkot House, Mashobra (Shimla): a 260 bigha estate, it had five residences, three of which, including the Sherwood House, were destroyed in a fire.
 
18 vintage cars: A 1929 model Royal Royce, 1929 model Graham, 1940 model Bentley, Jaguar, Damler, Packard among others and all of them in working condition.
 
Aerodrome, Faridkot: Used by the civil administration and army, it is spread over 200 acres.
 
Gold and jewels: Valued at Rs. 10 billion, these are in Standard Chartered Bank custody in Mumbai.
 
THE JUDGEMENT

Chief Judicial Magistrate, Rajnish Kumar Sharma, ruled that the will making the trust owner of the property was forged. It has been declared “illegal and void”.
 
WHAT NEXT

The Chandigarh court judgment may be challenged in the higher court by the Meharwal Khewaji Trust, which has been the custodian of the Maharaja's properties/assets so far.

However, Lalit Mohan Gupta, chief executive officer of the trust, declined to comment on the future course of action, saying he was yet to receive copy of the court order.

[Courtesy: Hindustan Times. Edited for sikhchic.com]

July 27, 2013

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