In a significant ruling on the use of royal titles in modern India, the Rajasthan High Court has directed the legal heirs of the former Jaipur royal family to remove the prefixes “Maharaj” and “Princess” from their names or face dismissal of their pending petition.

Justice Manoj Kumar Goyal, presiding over the matter, emphasized the necessity of this change to proceed further, noting that such titles no longer carry legal or official recognition today.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Goyal firmly stated that the petition would otherwise be dismissed outright.

In his order he held,“Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners to file correct amended cause title deleting the prefix 'Maharaj' & 'Princess' (from the) prefixes (with) which this civil writ petition shall stand dismissed without reference to the Court. This is ordered without reference to October 3, said.” The directive seeks to bring the filings in line with current legal standards and ensure clarity in the case title.

Following adherence to these instructions regarding the removal of the prefixes, the court has scheduled the hearing for October 13.

Background:

The case at hand involves writ petitions originally initiated back in 2001 under the names of Maharaj Prithviraj Singh and Maharaja Jagat Singh, representing the Jaipur royal lineage.

As per insights these descendants of the former Jaipur royalty are contesting the municipal authorities' imposition and collection of property taxes on their ancestral holdings.

Case Details : Maharaj Prithviraj v. State and Ors

Representing the petitioners were Senior Advocate MM Ranjan, alongside advocates Rohan Agarwal, Lakshmin, and

Anita Agarwal appeared on behalf of the state,

Additional Advocate General GS Gill with advocate Shikha Sharma to present the government's stance.