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Karnataka govt not to return Mysore palace

The Karnataka government is contemplating to bring in a legislation soon to retain control of the Mysore palace and its properties following the dismissal of its special leave petition by the Supreme Court recently.

Disclosing this in the legislative council during zero hour today, Law Minister M C Nanaiah said a bill in this regard would be introduced during the current session itself.

Replying to the matter raised by Congress's V R Sudarshan, Nanaiah said the palace, along with 35 hectares of adjoining properties, was handed over to the government during 1975 by the members of the royal family for maintenance and custody.

The government took over the palace on February 26, 1976 and engaged about 25 employees to maintain the palace and to preserve the priceless antiques in it.

During 1985, the royal family demanded that the property be returned to them as they had decided to take care of its maintenance. Following the state government's refusal, they filed a petition in the Karnataka high court, which ordered the government to return the property as it was the personal property of the royal family.

Nanaiah said the government had filed the special leave petition in the apex court against the high court order, which was recently dismissed.

The government would not not be able to return the palace as it was vested with a public character and public interest. Like in the case of the Bangalore palace and the famous Tataguni estate of late Russian painter Roerich, the government would pass a legislation to take control of the palace, he added.

UNI

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