Court boost for Maharani Gayatri Devi's grandchildren

The grandchildren of late Maharani Gayatri Devi, adjudged as one of the most beautiful women in the world in the 40' s, who are fighting legal battle with their step- uncle for inheriting the late Queen's wealth, got a shot in the arm on Tuesday when the High Court dismissed the appeal of stepsons to strike down the succession orders, issued by a lower court in the name of grandchildren.

Devraj Singh and Lalitya Kumari, the son and daughter of late Jagat Singh, who was Rajmata's only son, got another victory in the succession suit for inheriting their father's properties. The inheritance by the grandchildren was contested by their step uncles Prithviraj Singh, Jai Singh and an aunt Urveshi Devi.

The Rajasthan High Court dismissed the trio's appeal against its earlier order.. The dispute has its genesis in a letter purportedly written by Jagat Singh in 1996.

Late Rajmata Gayatri had presented that letter and filed two suits; one to seek a succession certificate for inheriting the properties of her late son and the second to seek letter of administration based on that will.