After late-night royal fight at Udaipur's City Palace, govt appoints receiver for disputed site

In a move aimed at diffusing rising tensions, the district administration of Udaipur has appointed a receiver to manage a disputed area of the City Palace after a confrontation between supporters of Vishvaraj Singh, the newly anointed ceremonial head of the Mewar royal family, and those backing his paternal uncle Arvind Singh Mewar. The dispute erupted late Monday after Singh was denied entry into the City Palace, leading to clashes outside its gates.

Udaipur Royal Fight: Background of the Dispute

Vishvaraj Singh, a BJP MLA, was ceremonially anointed as the titular head of the Mewar royal family in Chittorgarh on Monday following the death of his father, Mahendra Singh Mewar, earlier this month. As per tradition, Singh planned to visit the City Palace to offer prayers at the "dhuni," a religious site, and later at the Eklingnathji temple.

However, Arvind Singh Mewar, who controls the City Palace and its religious sites, barred Singh’s entry. Through his lawyer, Arvind Singh issued public notices warning of legal action against any trespassing.

The Clashes and Police Intervention

The situation escalated when Vishvaraj Singh and a large group of his supporters arrived at the palace, only to be denied access. Singh waited for several hours at Jagdish Chowk, a few meters from the gates, while his supporters attempted to cross police barricades, leading to a protest.


The police were deployed in large numbers to manage the crowd, and efforts for dialogue ensued. Udaipur Collector Arvind Poswal and Superintendent of Police Yogesh Goyal spoke separately to Singh and his cousin Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, the son of Arvind Singh Mewar. Despite their efforts, the talks failed to reach a resolution.

In the midst of rising tensions, stones were thrown at the palace's main gate, injuring three police officers.

Appointment of the Receiver

In response to the growing unrest, the district administration appointed Ghanta Ghar SHO Yogendra Kumar Vyas as the receiver for the disputed portion of the palace, from Badi Pol to the dhuni. The receiver's role is to manage the area and decide the terms of entry. The notice of his appointment was displayed at the palace's main gate.

Vyas confirmed that the situation was under control and that the process of taking possession of the area would begin on Tuesday, contingent on the situation’s development.

Security Measures and Ongoing Tensions

In the aftermath of the receiver’s appointment, Vishvaraj Singh returned to his residence around 1:30 am without visiting the dhuni.

Meanwhile, the police have strengthened security around the City Palace and its surrounding areas. Entry gates to the palace remain heavily guarded, and local markets have been shut as a precautionary measure.

Background on the Mewar Family

Vishvaraj Singh is a member of the Mewar royal family, descended from Maharana Pratap, a revered historical figure known for his resistance against the Mughal empire during the Battle of Haldighati. Singh represents the BJP from Nathdwara, and his wife, Mahima Kumari, serves as a Member of Parliament for Rajsamand.

The situation in Udaipur highlights the ongoing tensions within the royal family over control of heritage sites, and the role of traditional ceremonial leadership in modern times.

(Inputs from PTI)