LALITHAMBA BAYI Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The reliefs prayed for in both the Original Petitions are identical. They are therefore disposed of by a common judgment.

(2.) The petitioner in O.P.3510 of 1982 died and her legal representatives have been impleaded as additional petitioners 2 and 3 as per order dated 13-3-1985 in C.M.P. No.7198 of 1985. The 2nd additional petitioner is the petitioner in O.P. 1722 of 1982. The petitioner in O.P.1722 is the daughter of deceased Sethu Lekshmi Bayi (the petitioner in O.P.3510 of 1982). Sethu Lekshmi Bayi was the Senior Maharani and Ex-Regent of Travancore State.

(3.) Facts in both the petitions are similar and lie in a very narrow compass. Pursuant to the decision of the Government of India to enhance the allowances to the members of the ruling family of the former Travancore State, taken in October 1950, the then Government' of united State of Travancore and Cochin in their proceedings No.G5-21661/50-C,S.dated 26th October, 1950 enhanced the allowances of all members of ruling family. Accordingly the allowance of the petitioner in O.P. 1722 of 1982 was fixed at Rs.19,000/- per annum payable with effect from 25-10-1950. Similarly the allowance of the petitioner in O.P.3510 of 1982 was fixed at Rs.50,000/- per annum payable with effect from 25-10-1950. Since 25-10-1950 the petitioner in O.P. 1722 of 1982 and deceased Sethu Lekshmi Bayi were receiving the enhanced allowances. The petitioners submitted that the enhancement of the allowances, was sanctioned in lieu, of the various perquisites, the members of the ruling family were enjoying previously.