Who Gets the Faridkot Fortune? SC Halts Execution, Will Revisit Inheritance Dispute

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta on August 29 stayed further proceedings on execution applications relating to the division of assets, which include forts, palaces, farmland, jewellery, vintage cars, and bank deposits.

The order came on an execution plea filed by Amrinder Singh, a legal representative (LR) of Kunwar Manjit Inder Singh, who was allotted a 25% share in the royal estate.

The Court directed that execution proceedings in Case Nos. 521/2023 and 333/2025 pending before the executing court be halted “until further orders.” The Bench also stayed the execution plea filed in 2025 by Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the Maharaja’s daughter, since her application had been tagged with the execution plea of Manjit Inder Singh’s representatives.

"Ms. Aashna Gill, learned counsel, accepts notice for respondent no.1. Let notice be issued to the unrepresented respondents. Counter affidavit by respondent no.1 may be filed within four weeks. Other respondents would be at liberty to file counter affidavit in due course. Until further orders, further proceedings in the execution case Nos.521 of 2023 and 333 of 2025 pending before the Executing Court, shall remain stayed," the Bench ordered.

Under the High Court’s June 2020 judgment, affirmed by the Supreme Court in September 2022; Amrit Kaur and her sister Maharani Deepinder Kaur were each awarded a 37.5% share, while Manjit Inder Singh’s line received 25%.

Following Manjit’s death, his children Bharat Inder Singh and Devinder Kaur were entitled to 12.5% each. Bharat’s share later devolved to his widow and two sons, leaving Amrinder Singh Brar with just 4.16%.

The latest round of litigation stems from the executing court’s rejection of objections raised by Amrit Kaur against Amrinder Singh Brar’s execution application, which was upheld by the High Court on July 30, 2025.

Challenging that order, Amrit Kaur has approached the Supreme Court.

The Faridkot estate dispute traces back to 1992, when Amrit Kaur contested a 1982 will allegedly executed in favour of the Maharawal Khewaji Trust. In 2013, a trial court declared the will “null and void,” granting inheritance rights to the Maharaja’s daughters. The High Court upheld that verdict in 2020, rejecting the Trust’s claims.

Though the Supreme Court initially ordered status quo in 2020, it ultimately dismissed challenges to the High Court’s judgment in 2022, finding the will fabricated and succession governed by intestacy.

Despite those rulings, disputes over execution and distribution of assets continue, dragging the 30-year-old litigation into yet another round before the country’s highest court. The matter will now be heard after four weeks.