Gayatri Devi under influence of step sons: says son's ex-wife

Jaipur, July 28 (UNI) The Jaipur royal family intrigue deepened further today with Princess Priyanandana Rangsit, estranged wife of Maharani Gayatri Devi's late son Jagat Singh, accusing the latter of ulterior motives in disinheriting her children from their father's property.

In a press conference here today, Priyanandana made public the 'forged will' of late Maharaja Jagat Singh, relayed by Maharani Gayatri Devi, in which he had said that all his property should pass on to his mother after his death.

''Gayatri Devi is 86 and very old. She is under the influence of her step sons and does want her luxurious life disrupted at any cost. Not even at the expense of her own grand children, who are being deprived of their legal rights to inherit their father's property.'' Priyanandana said.

At the core of royal feud is the property, Jai Mahal Palace Hotel Pvt Ltd, which has been leased out to the Taj group of hotels. The the shares were increased without the knowledge of the Rangsit family.

Late Jagat Singh used to hold 99 per cent of the company's shares and the property was gifted to him by his father late Maharaja Sawai Man Singh. But later, Jagat Singh's estate was diluted to seven per cent while Maharaj Prithviraj (Step brother of Jagat Singh) and his family now own 93 per cent Stake in the company.

Upon getting to know this, the Rangsit family approached the Maharani but she refused to help them, denying any links with them.

Priyanandana, who is from Thailand's royal family, also accused the Taj Group of Hotels and a person called Kandari of mismanagement in Jai Mahal Palace deal.

Priyanandana has two children from Jagat Singh- Princess Lalitya Kumari and Prince Devraj Singh.

Prince Devraj Singh said, ''We used to have cordial relations with her and we even stayed at her Lily pool residence earlier. But now she doesn't even want to meet us. She is being pressurised to behave in such a way with us.'' Priyanandana said the 'forged will' disinheriting the children was discovered in March 2006 after the two children filed a petition against Prithviraj Singh and his son at the Company Law Board (CLB).

The Rangsit family alleged last week that Rajamata Gayatri Devi was made to file a succession certificate application in the District and Sessions Court, Jaipur in her name alone, disinherting her two grandchildren completely.

Priyanandana married Jagat Singh in 1978 and they were divorced in 1985. Priyanandana took her two children to Bangkok, who grew up there.

Priyanandana said, ''I never asked for anything except the custody of my children when I separated from Maharaja Jagat Sigh. Since Jagat's death in 1997, his step brother and his family have been trying to replace him in Rajmata's affections, at the same time as taking rightful inheritance from their heirs. I am here to seek justice in India for Jagat's and my children.'' UNI RRT AK VV1639