Forty three years after the demise of the seventh and last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the palace where he lived and died, the King Koti palace, also known as the Nazri Bagh, is caught in a dispute. Recently, HEH The Nizam’s Private Estate authorities approached Narayanguda police complaining that one Mir Mairaj Ali Khan had allegedly encroached a portion of the palace.
According to the complaint lodged by Dr Aminuddin Khan, administrator of HEH The Nizam’s Private Estate, Mir Mairaj Ali Khan entered the premises on August 31 from the rear of the palace by breaking locks and intimidated security guards with dire consequences, if they attempted to obstruct him.
The portion of the palace allegedly encroached by Mairaj Ali Khan, 300 square yards in size, was actually constructed as servant quarters. Despite the palace becoming dilapidated, some estate workers stayed in the quarters even a few years ago.
Aminuddin Khan in his complaint said a similar act of trespassing and encroachment was allegedly done by Mairaj Ali Khan along with his henchman on a previous occasion.
It is learnt that city police did not take any action then despite a complainant. “It is quite possible he might attack our guards in the future. I request you to take necessary action against Mairaj Ali Khan and his henchman for trespassing, criminal intimidation and encroachment of our property by illegal means,” Aminuddin Khan added in his complainant.
When Express contacted Narayanguda inspector C Gandhi Narayana, he confirmed a complaint had been received from the HEH The Nizam’s Private Estate. “I have also visited the spot and spoke to both parties. After seeing the merits of the case, it was found to be a civil dispute. So I asked them to approach a civil court to settle the issue. I have also told them there should not be any law and order problem,’’ the inspector said.
“Mairaj Ali Khan claimed he belongs to the Nizam’s family. He told me the portion of the land which is under dispute was given to him by one of Nizam’s family members,’’ Gandhi Narayana added. It is learnt through credible sources that Mairaj Ali Khan has initiated legal action in the issue.
Nazri Bagh was the place from where Mir Osman Ali Khan ruled the erstwhile Hyderabad state, until it was merged with India in 1948. However, he continued to reside in the same palace until he took his last breath in 1967.
srinath.v@expressbuzz.com