RANI AMRIT KUAR Vs. (MAHARAJA) GUR CHARAN SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a very sad case. The Story which has to be presently told is all the sadder, bacause it involves fiorsous vory highly placed in life. The following pedierao is important:

(2.) The plaintiff to the suit, who is the respondent before us, is one Mr. Gurcharan Singh who, till lately, was His Highness Maharaja Ripu Daman Singh of Nabha. Appellant 1, who was in the suit defendant 1, Hani Amrit Kuar, is the plaintiff's daughter by his Senior Maharani Jagdish Kunwar, who died on 4 August 1927. Appellant 2, who was defendant 2 in the suit, is one Gurdial. Singh Mann. He is the father of the late Senior Maharani Jagdish Kunwar, and therefore the maternal grand-father of Rani Amrit Kuar.

(3.) It is common ground that the Maharajah of Nabha and the Maharajah of Patiala fell out on some matters, details, of which do not appear on the record. The Government of India appointed Sir Louis Stuart as the Commissioner to inquire into the quarrel. Sir Louis, started his inquiry about 3 January 1923. He submitted a report sometime, in April 1923, in which the Government of India passed its orders in July 1923. By these orders the Maharajah of Nabha was removed from Nabha and he came to live in Dehra Dun. The Maharajah was allowed to retain his title and salute and was given an allowance. But later, for reasons which do not appear on the record, the Government; of India took away the title of "His Highness," also the right to the salute of guns and he was deported to a place called Kodai-kanal in the Midraa Presidency and his allowance was reduced. The Government; of India decided that fche son of the late Maharajah, a minor then and a minor even now, should eventually succeed to the Gaddi of Nabha. The administration of Nabha was placed under an Administrator and an Assistant Administrator and later a Council of Regency was appointed. The Vlminiatrator of Nabha was one Mr. Wilaon Johnston, who eventually became tha President of the Council of Regency. Tha Assistant Administrator was one Sat dar Bahadur Gurdial Singh Dulat, who is not to bo confounded with defendant- appellant 2 in this case. This gentleman is now a member of the Council of Regency. He is also a witness in the case.