Heritage The Curious Case Of Maharaja's 'missing' Painting

[aristotle]

After a century-old painting of Maharaja Balbir Singh of Faridkot estate went missing some time back, an unsavoury controversy was created. A retired senior judicial official in Faridkot was accused of stealing this hand- coloured painting and selling it off for over Rs 35 lakh in the antique art market at London. The painting was prepared in 1895, 11 years before the death of Maharaja Balbir Singh.

On September 17, 2012, following a complaint by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), the Faridkot police had registered a case under Section 378 of the IPC (committing theft) against unknown persons. In the FIR, the CJM alleged that the painting went missing from Lal Kothi, an official building, belonging to the erstwhile Faridkot estate but presently being used for the accommodation of judicial officials in Faridkot.

In May 2013 however, Police decided to shut down the case terming the painting as 'undetectable'. But recently, the Faridkot police have decided to set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case.

The police said the SIT will investigate the allegations, and if they are found to be true, will seek the help of Interpol.

(Sources: www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130520/bathinda.htm , www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/india...-probe-theft-maharajas-portrait-Faridkot.html )

 

[spnadmin]

They have to investigate this artistotle ji. No sitting on the hands will work. This painting, and the building where it disappeared, are both part of the estate of the most recent Maharajah Faridkot, deceased. Recently the Indian courts declared that his allegedly "disinherited daughter" is a legal heir to his fortunes - buildings, jewels, art, etc.. The trustees who hoodwinked her for years leased that very building to the government in the name of the estate. Now that she is identified as the legal heir, some administration of the will needs to take place so that everything can be accounted for, and the true worth of the holdings can be assessed. This painting is not the only missing item. Some pants/dhotis are on fire here, or it isn't going to look good. We would not be speaking only of defrauding the daughter of a wealthy man; we would also be looking at ???? when some thought that no one was looking ???????