In a significant turn of events that has caught the attention of the local community in Bundi, Rajasthan, retired Brigadier Bhupesh Singh Hada, recently coronated as the king of Bundi by the local Rajput community, found himself in legal turmoil following an alleged breach of public peace and unlawful assembly. The incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when Hada, accompanied by his supporters, made an entry into Moti Mahal, located within the historic Taragarh Palace.
The police, acting on a complaint from the trust managing Taragarh Palace and the properties formerly owned by Bundi’s royal family, arrested Hada, his aide Pravindra Singh, and two others for assembling unlawfully at the site.
Uma Sharma, the Additional Superintendent of Police in Bundi, elaborated that the group had entered Moti Mahal and gathered there without permission, prompting police intervention. The officers initially tried to persuade Hada and his group to seek a legal resolution to their grievances against the trust and others involved.
Later the same day, a Bundi court granted bail to all the accused. Following his release, Brigadier Hada addressed the media outside the court premises, where he leveled accusations against Bhawan Jitendra Singh of Alwar.
Brigadier Hada claimed that Singh, a Congress leader, had illegitimately taken control of the trust operating Taragarh Palace and its properties during his (Hada’s) absence due to military service. He insisted that his presence at Taragarh Palace for a public event was lawful and criticized the trust, acting under Singh’s directions, for involving the police.
Bhupesh Singh Hada, who took voluntary retirement from the Indian Army after reaching the rank of Brigadier, has been a prominent figure not only for his military achievements but also within the local community.
He also mentioned that Taragarh Palace, a property belonging to the Bundi royalty, is a heritage site and ought to be utilized for public and religious events.
Also Read: 5 Inspiring Facts about Brigadier Bhupesh Singh Hada
On December 12, 2021, he was declared the 26th ‘king of Bundi’ in a ceremony that was both celebrated and contested within the region. The coronation saw opposition from certain members of the erstwhile royal family of Bundi and Bhanwar Jitendra Singh of Alwar, highlighting deep-seated disputes over the rightful leadership and stewardship of the royal legacy. Jitendra Singh, related to the late Ranjit Singh, the childless ex-royal of Bundi, has been a central figure in the ongoing controversy.
This incident has reignited discussions on the management and ownership of the historic assets of Bundi’s royal past, with the local community closely watching the developments. The legal and social ramifications of Wednesday’s arrest are yet to fully unfold, but they underscore the complex interplay of tradition, law, and modern governance in the stewardship of India’s rich cultural heritage.
