Gayatri Devi will out: Grandchildren get it all

The mystery is finally over. As TOI had reported in its July 31 edition, Rajmata Gayatri

Devi has left it all for her grandchildren,

Devraj Singh and Lalitya Kumari.

The two called a press conference on Wednesday at Lily Pool — the former Jaipur queen's

residence on Rambagh Palace grounds — to announce that the will gave the entire inheritance,

all her properties and rights, to them. Their father, Jagat Singh, who had married a Thai

princess whom he later divorced, died in 1997.

No estimate of the inheritance was available. Gayatri Devi had left behind her last will

with Bhawani Singh, her stepson. When the will was handed over to the grandchildren by

Bhawani Singh was not disclosed.

Lalitya Kumari said they were the natural heirs and entitled to succeed to her state. The

grandchildren, however, did not say when the will was written. They did not mention what all

properties the Rajmata owned and what her rights in the properties of the royal family were.

Contrary to popular belief, Gayatri Devi's ownership of Moti Doongri — a Scottish-style

castle on a hillock in the heart of the city — is disputed. The matter is pending before

Delhi high court. Devraj and Lalitya have claimed that the heritage castle, is a Hindu

undivided family property, over which all royal members have a stake and Bhawani Singh

cannot be the sole owner. The property would easily be worth Rs 300 crore.

Lalitya Kumari, 30, reading out from a written statement, said: "We sincerely hope to

receive full support of all family members — Brig Bhawani Singh, Prithviraj and Jai Singh."

It is learnt that Bhawani Singh who was a witness to the will would also act as the

executor. It is also learnt that a copy of the will which in all probability was written in

May this year was given to each member of the royal family.

The grandchildren are already fighting a case in the Company Law Board against their step-

uncle Prithviraj over his stake in the Jai Mahal Palace Pvt Ltd — a heritage hotel in Jaipur

now managed by the Taj group — that was once owned by their father. Originally, Jagat Singh

had a 93% stake in Jai Mahal palace, and Pritviraj 7%. But in CLB, the grandchildren claimed

that their step-uncle after the death of their father fraudulently watered down Jagat

Singh's stake from 93% to 7% while upping his own from 7% to 93%.

While Prithviraj was not available for comment on the will, the other step-uncle, Jai Singh,

was unwell.

source:timesofindia