Lifestyle /
$4 Billion Inherited By Indian Princesses After Court Verdict!
With all the elements of a thrilling best selling novel and Bollywood films like Rishi Kapoor’s Karz (1981), recent events in New Delhi bring us back to the time of royalty and Maharajas. Crowned as a toddler, the Maharaja of Faridkot, the late Sir Harinder Singh Brar, fell into deep depression after the death of his only son. Unfortunately, after his death, his daughters – the princesses – only inherited a few dollars a month instead of the wealth, vintage cars, gold, palaces and vast land, which were their birthright properties. The women accuse the palace officials for scheming to usurp the royal billions with a forged will. This fight raged on for years and years to come.
The Maharajah of Fairdkot Maharani Narinder Kaur
On Saturday, Chief Judicial Magistrate Rajnish Kumar Sharma in Chandigarh finally ruled in the favor of the women and came to the conclusion that the Late Maharaja’s will was forged!
Amrit Kaur, the Maharaja’s oldest daughter had filed the case in 1992. The court official spoke in terms of anonymity because he was not authorized in the media.
His daughters will now inherit an estimated $4 billion estate, instead of a trust fund run by his former servants and palace officials. The Faridkot riches have been known to be legendary. The estates, which the women have inherited, include a 350-year old fort, palaces, and forests land in Faridkot, in a mansion surrounded by acres of land located at the heart of India’s capital.
There are similar properties sprinkled across 4 states. They will also inherit a collection of 18 cars, including Rolls Royce, a Daimler, and Bentley all in working conditions.
Their fortune does not end here because they also inherit an aerodrome in Faridkot spread over 200-acres, which is currently being used by the Punjab State Administration and army! Furthermore, the women inherit 10 billion ($167 million) rupees worth of gold, jewellery studded with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
Brar himself was a boy-king who grew up during the declining years of Indian royalty in India. He was crowned the maharaja – the last of the royalty – at the tender age of three of Faridkot. After 1947, when India won independence from Britain, Faridkot and other smaller towns were absorbed into the country.
Amrit Kaur (Left) Photography by: Narinder Nanu, AFP/Getty Images
Royal titles and power was abolished and received allowances from the government as a fixed salary, which was also later removed after 1971. Some royal families slipped into penury and some converted their palaces to hotels and museums to sustain their family incomes. However, Brar continued to hold on to his estates and riches. However, Brar had unfortunate luck when in 1981, he lost his son, Tikka Harmonhinder Singh, died in a road accident and Brar fell into deep depression.
Amrit Kaur (Left) Photography by: Narinder Nanu, AFP/Getty Images
According to his daughters, it was during this critical time when the palace officials connived to take advantage of the dire situation to deprive the family of their fortune. They set up the Meharawal Kehwaji Trust and named all the Maharaja’s trusted servants, palace officials, and lawyers as trustees. In 1989, after the Maharaja’s death, a will was made public, which states the wealth was left to the trust and was made public.
The two younger princesses, Deepinder Kaur and Maheepinder Kaur received $18 and $20 respectively. Brar’s wife, mother, and daughter were left penniless. The trust had argued that Amrit Kaur had been disinherited because she had married without his consent and thus had been disowned. Kaur however disavowed their claim stating that her father had never made any will and she had been with him with him at his deathbed.
The family’s lawyer, Vikas Jain, told India’s financial newspaper that a lot of fortune has been squandered away during the long court case.
Ranjit Singh, the trust’s lawyer told Times of India, "The will was real and it was not forged. The trust, after going through the order in detail, could challenge it in an upper court.”
Feature Image Source: resource0.news.com
Source: thestar.com, dailymail.co.uk, and the province.com
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
