Tehsin Mohammad Fayaz Khan / Rampur

The squabbling scions of the last Nawab of Rampur Raza Ali Khan would have to sit among themselves to divide their lands, palaces, priceless paintings, vintage cars and gems and jewels, and golden swords and cigarette cases to bring curtains down on one of the longest inheritance battles fought in the Indian courts.

The assets estimated to be around Rs 30,000 crore of the erstwhile Royal Family of eastern Uttar Pradesh has to be divided among the descendants of his three sons and six daughters.

The Nawab of Rampur was the first among the Indian Royals to accede to India. After his death in 1966, his nine children fought among themselves to claim his assets. The court battle had been going on for 55 years.

The property dispute reached the Supreme Court which redirected it to the District Judge, Rampur, with a direction that it will oversee the division of the property as per Muslim personal law.

The case was all set to close by December 2020. However, due to the Corona pandemic, it’s now looking at March 8, 2021 date.

Besides gems jewels and family silver, the Nawab left behind five prime properties in the town. These are Kothi Khas Bagh, the main palace spread over 350 acres, Shahbad Fort, Benazir Bagh,  Kunda orchard and about 1100 acres of Nawab’s private railway station.

The district Judge had asked all the parties to come to the court in person for negotiations. The case has to be settled through negotiations in the light of the Shariah. The court will mediate for a negotiated settlement.

So far 14 litigants of the Royal family have appeared in the court for reconciliation, while two others, who live abroad, had sent their representatives. The parties sought time of two months to hold out of the court discussions and reach an agreement before the next scheduled date of hearing on March 8.