New Delhi, Feb. 25: Finance Minister C. Subramaniam’s statement in the Rajya Sabha to-day on IT searches in Jaipur and in Delhi showed that the Income Tax authorities had discovered so far from Moti Doongri Palace, the residence of Mrs. Gayatridevi in Jaipur, gold mohars, sovereigns, half-sovereigns and primary gold with and without markings of approximate total value of Rs. 4.5. crores at current market rates. The total weight of gold was 848 kilograms. The search was still continuing.
At “Rajmahal Palace”, the residence of Lt.-Col Bhowani Singh, the authorities had found large quantities of diamond-studded jewellery and jewellery made of emeralds and rubies. The jewellery was still to be valued but they “appeared to be very valuable”.
In one of the strong rooms in the palace dynastic regalia of the Jaipur family had been stored. “It would appear that all the dynastic regalia are not at one place and the search party has requested Lt.-Col Bhowani Singh and Mr. Jai Singh to account for the same”. Notices under the Income Tax Act had been served on the parties, the statement said.
From the residence of Jai Singh a substantial amount of jewellery and cash of approximately Rs. one lakh were found and sealed. The jewellery was yet to be valued.
Giving the outcome of the searches at City Palace, Jaipur, the statement said at the rear of Palace Museum there were certain rooms known as “Kapat Dwar”, which was reputed to contain the treasure of the former ruling family.
The “Kapat Dwar” consisted of a large number of rooms containing various costly items, which were yet to be valued. But “gold utensils, weighing approximately one quintal and silver utensils and silver photo frames weighing nearly 50 quintals have been inventorised.”
Published – February 26, 2025 03:20 am IST