LONDON: Deciding a decades-old legal dispute between Pakistan and India, the UK High Court on Wednesday ruled that an amount of £35 million belonging to the Nizam of Hyderabad at the time of partition and deposited in a London bank account belongs to heirs of the Nizam in India.
The judgment says £35 million – belonging to Nizam of Hyderabad at the time of partition in 1947 and given to Pakistan for safe-keeping in Natwest London bank account – belongs to India/heirs of Nizam.
Prince Mukarram Jah, the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad and his younger brother Muffakham Jah, had joined hands with India in the legal fight against Pakistan over £35 million funds.
The original amount which was about £1,007,940 has now grown to around £35 million in 70 years.
Commenting on the verdict, Pakistan Foreign Office said the judgement rejects the longstanding claims of the two major parties and upholds the claims of the heirs of Nizam of Hyderabad
Pakistan has taken note of the judgment by the High Courts of Justice of the UK in the Hyderabad Fund Case, today, after a 2 weeks trial in June 2019, said Foreign Office on Wednesday.
It said the judgment rejects the longstanding claims of the two major parties and upholds the claims of the heirs of Nizam of Hyderabad.
“The ruling does not take into account the historical context of the transfer when India illegally annexed Hyderabad in violation of International Law and all civilized norms, leading the Nizam of Hyderabad to make desperate efforts to defend his people and the state from Indian invasion,” said the statement issued by the foreign office.
The Nizam also raised the matter with the UN Security Council where the issue remains on the agenda to date. The Nizam as a sovereign approached Pakistan for assistance which the Government of Pakistan provided.
Pakistan is closely examining all aspects of the detailed judgment and will take further action in light of legal advice received. (With additional input from INP)
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