The day after the southern Indian city of Mysore known as city of palaces welcomed its 27th titular head of the Wodeyar dynasty, 23-year-old Boston graduate Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar, has to face a major legal battle as the family remains embroiled in a battle over the ownership of the estate and other properties. The be-spectacled Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar was adopted by Mysore Queen Pramoda Devi, late widow of Srikantadatta Wodeyar and now has to face the legal battle against the claim of Kanthraj Urs, the eldest nephew of the Maharaja of Mysore, the late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar. The matter is coming up in a Bengaluru court in June.
Urs told the media that he wants the entire estate and properties to be split equally among the family. Urs, 42, claims that his uncle divided his immense wealth between his five sisters almost 30 years before he died two years ago, childless and without naming a heir. Maharani Pramoda Devi said that, though she has been hurt by the family dispute, the selection of the next heir was done in line with 600-year-old customs and traditions and that no one was “spurned” or “betrayed”.
Pramoda Devi, widow of Srikantadatta, adopted Yaduveer as the couple had no children. Srikantadatta passed away in Bengaluru on December 8, 2013 at the age of 60. Yaduveer, son of Sundara Devi and Swarup Anand Gopal Raj Urs, is the grandson of late princess Gayathri Devi, the eldest sister of Srikantadatta and eldest daughter of the last Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.
Pramoda Devi Wadeyar, also urged the State Government to abide by the agreement over the palace properties entered by the erstwhile royal family with the Central Government, after the abolition of princely rule way back in 1956. Speaking to mediapersons, Pramoda Devi said, “though the disputes related to the family are still being heard in the Supreme Court, we are ready for talks with the Government. It would be better if the agreement with the Centre is considered as final”.
However Karnataka Revenue and District in-charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad said the Government was ready for talks with the erstwhile royal family, with focus on solving the issue amicably. Meanwhile, conspicuous by his absence at the crowning ceremony at Mysore, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah justified himself by saying it was a private affair and he had other commitments. The Chief Minister who hails from Mysore did not attend the ceremony but some of his Cabinet colleagues and other political leaders attended the royal ceremony. On a question on the dispute between royal family and the Government regarding ownership of the palace, the Chief Minister said it was subjudice as the matter was in court. However, Pramoda Devi wanted the Government to have negotiations to resolve long-pending issues.