Jaipur: A royal row over the sealing of the Raj Mahal palace gates in Jaipur by the Jaipur Development Authority or JDA is threatening to spill onto the streets, with Rajput organisations deciding to launch an agitation on the issue.
The JDA has shut the gates of the Raj Mahal Palace, once a British residency and now a luxurious boutique hotel owned by the Jaipur royal family.
The Rajasthan government claims it acquired the land in 1993 and has started the acquisition process. "It is a regular acquisition proceeding, there is nothing unusual about it," said the state's Urban Development Minister Rajpal Shekhawat.
The family claims that the Raj Mahal palace is one of the properties given to them under the covenant signed during the merger of the states in 1949.
On Thursday, the JDA arrived at the palace grounds at 7.30 am, accompanied by bulldozers and a large police force. They took possession of parts of the palace grounds and sealed the main gates of the palace.
Two hours later, the erstwhile royal Diya Kumari reached the palace and asked the government authorities to look at a decree passed by the district court in 2011, which clearly demarcates the land of Raj Mahal and passes an injunction that prevents the government from interfering with the status quo of the property.
But the government authorities refused to listen.
"You cannot stop even an ordinary person's right of way. But in this case, this has been upheld by the court and the government and JDA cannot seal our way," said Ramesh Sharma, lawyer for the erstwhile royal family.
With Rajput organisations now threatening an agitation, the row could escalate, especially since Diya Kumari is also a sitting BJP legislator from Sawai Madhopur.
The JDA has shut the gates of the Raj Mahal Palace, once a British residency and now a luxurious boutique hotel owned by the Jaipur royal family.
The Rajasthan government claims it acquired the land in 1993 and has started the acquisition process. "It is a regular acquisition proceeding, there is nothing unusual about it," said the state's Urban Development Minister Rajpal Shekhawat.
Two hours later, the erstwhile royal Diya Kumari reached the palace and asked the government authorities to look at a decree passed by the district court in 2011, which clearly demarcates the land of Raj Mahal and passes an injunction that prevents the government from interfering with the status quo of the property.
But the government authorities refused to listen.
Advertisement
With Rajput organisations now threatening an agitation, the row could escalate, especially since Diya Kumari is also a sitting BJP legislator from Sawai Madhopur.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Rajasthan Police Constable PT Admit Card 2024 Released, Check Steps To Download Watch: Woman Fakes 'Goddess Possession' To Save Tractor From Loan Agents 6 Pilgrims Killed In Accident In Rajasthan, Cops Hunt For "Unknown" Vehicle AAP Asks Its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal To Quit Over Atishi Remarks "Your Duty...": Chief Justice On Bengal's 'No Night Shift For Women' Note AAP's Atishi To Be Delhi's New Chief Minister, Chosen By Arvind Kejriwal "He's Boss Even After Congress Lost Thrice": Kiren Rijiju Jabs Rahul Gandhi Study Shows How Long Covid Is Debilitating Children's Health Arvind Kejriwal Resigns After Choosing Atishi As His Replacement Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.