JAIPUR: The commissioner of the devasthan department in Udaipur has ruled against Siddhi Kumari, a three-term BJP MLA from Bikaner (East), and in favour of Rajyashree Kumari and other trustees in a dispute over management of charitable trusts established by the late Dr Karni Singh, Bikaner’s last titular maharaja.
Siddhi Kumari was accused of misusing her position and colluding with devasthan officials in Bikaner to take control of the trusts. Rajyashree Kumari, Madhulika Kumari, Hanumant Singh and one other person were allegedly removed from trusteeship by an order from the devasthan department assistant commissioner, violating the Indian Trusts Act and the trust deed. Under the new order from the devasthan department, all have been reinstated as trustees.
Rajyashree Kumari said after her mother, Sushila Kumari, passed away on March 10, 2023, Siddhi Kumari declared herself chairperson of the trusts, claiming to be the natural successor.
Siddhi Kumari held the position of chairperson of several trusts, including the Maharaja Rai Singhji Trust (established in 1961, overseeing Junagarh Fort), Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji Trust (established in 1972, overseeing Lalgarh Palace), Karni Singh Foundation Trust, Karni Charitable Fund Trust, and the Maharani Smt Sushila Kumari Religious and Charitable Trust.
Even as the order favoured Rajyashree Kumari, she accused Siddhi Kumari of deploying bouncers at Junagarh and Lalgarh to prevent them from entering. The MLA was unavailable for comments.
