Chhattisgarh Royal Family Dispute: I Am The True Heir, Says Dharmendra Singh In Big Twist

News18

24-07-2025

In 1997, Raja Surendra Singh declared his adopted son Dharmendra Singh as his successor, sparking controversy as he was not a blood heir but the son of a palace staff member
The ongoing dispute over the historic Sakti princely state's palace in Chhattisgarh has taken a dramatic turn. Raja Dharmendra Singh has asserted his claim as the legitimate heir of Raja Saheb, emphasising that Raja Surendra Bahadur Singh adopted him in accordance with full social customs and that he possesses all relevant documents.
Raja Dharmendra Singh of Sakti Rajmahal declared that the Hari Gujar Palace, also known as the Yellow Palace, is a heritage of the entire region and not merely a property. He vowed to protect this heritage, as his father Raja Surendra Bahadur Singh had done before him, even if it meant sacrificing his life.
'Even if I have to risk my life, I am prepared to do so. But after Raja Surendra Singh's death and my imprisonment based on a false report, certain individuals conspired to seize the palace. Taking advantage of the absence of family members, they stormed in with a well-planned attack, assaulting my wife and the staff present. They also looted Rs 50,000 in cash," Singh said.
Goons Stormed The Palace On June 25
On June 25, a group of armed goons carrying sticks and guns stormed into the Yellow Palace of Sakti, triggering chaos inside the palace. The intruders assaulted the staff on duty and allegedly molested Raja Dharmendra Singh's wife, who was present at the time. The attack occurred while key members of the palace were away in Bilaspur to attend a court hearing for Raja Dharmendra Singh's bail. Earlier, the Sakti Court had sentenced him to seven years in prison in connection with the rape of a woman from the palace.
This was not the first attack on the palace; an earlier attempt was made in 2022 when Raja Surendra Singh was still alive. At that time, he had written to the police administration requesting security for the palace.
The Real Controversy Explained
In 1997, Raja Surendra Singh publicly announced that Dharmendra Singh, whom he had adopted, would be the next king of Sakti state. However, this decision sparked controversy, as Dharmendra Singh was not a blood heir but the son of a palace employee. The dispute intensified following Raja Surendra Singh's death, with other royal family members refusing to acknowledge Dharmendra Singh as the rightful king.
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