Sir,

In a significant order, the Supreme Court of India on 10.12.2024 allowed the contempt petitions filed by Chaduranga Kanthraj Urs and other members of the Mysore Royal Family against the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, BBMP Commissioner, BDA Commissioner etc., for wilful disobedience of the Supreme Court’s previous order.

Further, the Supreme Court has ordered that the authorities should issue Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to the land owners, the Royal Family members, within 6 weeks.

This case, rooted in 2010, highlights the State’s apathy.

When Bengaluru’s traffic demands surged after the new airport opened in 2008, the Government sought over 15 acres of land around the Bangalore Palace compound for road expansion.

The Royal Family co-operated by immediately handing over the land in lieu of the promise made by the Karnataka Government, that of issuing TDRs to the Royal Family.

Despite constructing a new boundary wall, the BBMP reneged on this commitment, forcing the Royal Family into a protracted 14-year legal battle.

Issuing TDR certificates, a cost-neutral administrative task, wouldn’t have burdened the exchequer. These certificates hold monetary value only when sold to developers seeking additional construction rights.

Yet, bureaucratic inertia and political apathy denied the Royal Family members what was rightfully theirs. Why? Only the powers that be can answer this.

This delay by the Government in issuing TDRs underscores a glaring irony.

While the Government dragged its feet on a simple promise, CM Siddaramaiah reportedly sought Rs. 62 crore in compensation for just 3.16 acres of land in Kesare village, justifying it by saying, “Should we let go of our land just because I am the CM?”

By applying this logic, why then deny the Royal Family similar rights? The situation is a chilling reminder of how the State has treated its erstwhile Royals.

Consider the 1996 Bangalore Palace (Acquisition & Transfer) Act when the State Government planned to acquire 470 acres of Bangalore Palace Grounds for a mere Rs. 11 crore.

Back then the ruling Government was JD(S) with Siddaramaiah as part of the Government.

Interestingly when the order came favouring the Royal Family in 2014 Siddaramaiah was the CM.

Now, with key members of the Royal Family; Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, his sisters Meenakshi Devi and Vishalakshi Devi, who filed these petitions, no longer alive, this saga stands as a testament to the Government’s disregard for the right to property of a citizen — even when it costs the State nothing.

Let’s hope this Supreme Court verdict becomes a turning point, not just for the Mysore Royal Family but for all citizens whose rights are routinely trampled by bureaucratic and political indifference.

— R. Raja Chandra (Member of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family), Bengaluru, 11.12.2024

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