Bikaner royal family dispute: siddhi kumari loses trustee power to aunt Rajyashri

Jaipur (The Uttam Hindu): Bikaner East MLA Siddhi Kumari has suffered a significant setback in a property dispute involving her aunt, Rajyashree Kumari, after the Devasthan Department reversed its previous decision. The dispute centers on the royal family's properties in Bikaner, which were managed by a trust. Initially, the Devasthan Department had ruled in favor of Siddhi Kumari, but a subsequent order has now strengthened Rajyashree Kumari's position, recognizing her, Madhulika Kumari, and Hanuwant Singh as trustees. This reversal follows a ruling by the Mumbai High Court, giving Rajyashree Kumari the right to access key family properties, including Junagarh and Lalgarh.

Rajyashree, expressing a desire to avoid controversy, highlighted her intention to preserve the royal family's dignity. She also made serious allegations against Siddhi Kumari, claiming harassment since the passing of her mother, Sushila Devi. Rajyashree accused her niece of filing false police cases and using bouncers to prevent family members' access to the royal properties. Siddhi Kumari had previously removed Rajyashree Kumari, Madhulika Kumari, Hanuwant Singh, and Reema Huja as trustees, replacing them with new appointees. This decision was endorsed by the Assistant Commissioner of the Devasthan Department in May 2024. The earlier ruling had recognized Siddhi Kumari as the senior family member and deemed Hanuwant Singh’s signature as forged, based on the will of Rajmata Sushila Kumari. However, an appeal by Hanuwant Singh led to the recent reversal of that decision.