State Claim On Mysore Palace Quashed

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the appeal of the Karnataka government claiming possession of the palace in Mysore owned by former-ruler Srikantadatta Wodeyar.

However, the advocate-general said that a bill is being prepared to acquire the palace, just as was done with the Bangalore palace. The High Court had asked the state government to return the palace to Wodeyar in a judgment last year. Thereafter, the government appealed to the Supreme Court against that judgment that the ex-Maharaja had handed over the palace to the government more than a decade ago for maintanance.

The former Maharaja had formed a trust in which the government had an active role and had to keep the palace in good condition in public interest.

 

Counsel for Wodeyar submitted that the transfer was only for a limited period and the trust was not registered.

The Maharaja has not allowed the government to take over the palace for all times. The present ruler himself is having heavy financial liabilities with interest payment to the tune of Rs 50,000 a day. Therefore he wanted the palace back to earn income from tourism, counsel said.