VADODARA ROYAL FAMILY SETTLES LEGAL DISPUTE AFTER 20 YEARS
Friday, 25 October 2013 | Nayan Dave | GANDHINGAR
A dispute for nearly Rs22,000 crore worth of assets among the family members of erstwhile rulers of Vadodara was settled after almost two decades. One of the richest royal families in the country — the Gaekwads were embroiled in a legal battle for palaces that include one which is four times the size of Buckingham Palace and other invaluable assets like diamonds, artifacts, jewellery etc.
Sources close to the development said that stakeholders in the Gaekwad family inked a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday before the city civil court of Vadodara.
Samarjisinh Gaekwad, a member of the royal family said the outcome was amicable and was accepted unanimously. “This is a new beginning for the betterment of the royal family. Hope we will overcome the past and forge a new relationship,” he said.
More than 20 stakeholders belonging to the Gaekwad family, that include direct heirs as well as members of extended families, were in the battle for the properties spread across multiple locations.
The royal family’s dispute went into legal purview way back in 1991, which was between two sons of the last king of the erstwhile princely State Baroda in Gujarat Maharaja Saijirao Gaekwad — Ranjitsinh and Sangramsinh.
Visionary Saijirao was known for his progressive approach in the field of education. He was behind the famous Maharaja Saijirao University in Vadodara. His initiative for girls’ education and empowerment of women are still remembered fondly by the people of Vadodara.
Last year, Ranjitsinh died, but his son Samarjitsinh carried forward the battle against his uncle Sangramsinh.
As per Wednesday’s agreement Samarjitsinh would get the lion’s share from the assets that include majestic Laxmi Vilas Palace. The sprawling palace spread across 243 acres was built in 1890. A private golf course is the part of the palace. Besides, the museum at the palace with some of the most costly paintings and precious diamonds and other valuable jewellery will also belong to him.
Sangramsinh would also get huge property, despite the fact his nephew set to occupy bigger pie of the cake. He will take control of family owned companies, Indumati Mahal Palace in Vadodara and properties in Mumbai and Vadodara. Besides, female members of the families and their heirs would also get their share, which would also be in hundreds of crores.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/vadodara-royal-family-settles-legal-dispute-after-20-years.html
No comments:
Post a Comment