Adoption of Yaduveer by Mysuru royal family challenged in court

While scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar was conducting his maiden private durbar at Amba Vilas Palace on Tuesday, a court here started a hearing against the decision of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru to adopt him as the successor.

Chaduranga Kantharaja Urs, nephew of the late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, has filed a petition at the court of Additional Principal Civil Magistrate (senior grade). Urs has contended clear violation of the adoption procedure.

The judge, during the maiden hearing, has ordered notices to respondents Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of Srikantadatta Wadiyar, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and sub-registrar (South) for failing to provide related documents to the plaintiff. The matter is posted for further hearing on November 21.

Ajay Govind, the advocate appearing for Urs, had filed a suit on October 9, urging quashing of the adoption of Yaduveer. The advocate had cited the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, that mandates adopting only boys and girls in the age group of 15 years. When Yaduveer was adopted by the erstwhile royal family, he was a 23-year-old youth.

Govind told Deccan Herald that as the office of sub-registrar (south) failed to furnish related documents, after seeking them in the month of February itself, the officer was also made a party in the case.

After the demise of Srikantadatta on December 10, 2013, Chaduranga had performed the last rites. Urs is the nephew of Wadiyar. He is the son of the late Gayatri Devi (elder sister of Wadiyar) and the late Sardar K B Ramachandra Raja Urs couple.

Chaduranga had also performed the rituals related to private durbar in 2014. Instead of ascending the throne, he had performed the rituals by placing the ‘pattada katthi’ (royal sword) on the throne. He was also touted to be the successor to his maternal uncle. However, Yaduveer was announced as the heir and was formally adopted on February 23 this year.

Interestingly, Yaduveer is the nephew of Chaduranga. Yaduveer is the son of Tripurasundari Devi (Chaduranga’s elder sister) and Swarup Anand Gopalraj Urs couple. Chaduranga had also filed a petition in a Bengaluru court over a share in properties belonging to the erstwhile royal family.