‘PRINCESS’ GETS SHARE IN RS 25,000 CR PROPERTY

Punjab’s erstwhile Faridkot state’s “Princess” Amrit Kaur (84) has got justice from the courts 40 years after she was allegedly “disinherited” by her father, “Maharaja” Harinder Singh Brar, the last ruler of the princely state, from his property worth over Rs 25,000 crore for marrying against his wishes. She has been finally declared one of his rightful successors.

A resident of Chandigarh, Amrit Kaur has succeeded in proving in three judicial courts that the “will” of her father, which had “disinherited” her from the property, was a “fake document” which, she said, was prepared in 1989.

Harinder Singh died on 16 October 1989, leaving behind daughters Deepinder and Maheepinder, as his legal heirs under the Hindu Succession Act as per the controversial will that had been executed on 1 June 1982.According to this will, Amrit was “disinherited” for marrying against his wishes.

Amrit Kaur claimed that a “dubious will” was “created” in 1989, which showed that Harinder had bequeathed his entire property to the Maharawal Khewaji Trust, which is looking after the properties for the last over 31 years.

Maheepinder died a spinster in 2003. Deepinder, who was married in a royal family of West Bengal, died on 11 November 2018. The Maharaja’s lone son, Tikka Harmohinder Singh, died before him on 13 October 1981. That left only his eldest daughter Amrit Kaur.

Amrit had challenged her father’s will in 2010, claiming that some of his old servants had executed a dubious will to retain control over the property. The Trust may move the Supreme Court against the HC order.

Man Mohan can be contacted at rovingeditor@gmail.com