Patna: The Bihar government has initiated proceedings to take possession of properties belonging to Kamasundari Devi, the last maharani of the historic Darbhanga Raj, following her death earlier this year without a will.
Officials in the state’s revenue and land reforms department confirmed that the process is under way, with the first phase involving the invitation of objections from the public. Authorities argue that, in the absence of a legally recognised successor or testamentary document, the state is entitled to step in.
Kamasundari Devi, who died on January 12, reportedly left no will or other documentation outlining the succession of her movable or immovable assets. According to departmental findings, there is no legal basis for any individual or entity to claim inheritance over her share of the estate, strengthening the government’s case for acquisition.
The authorities are also compiling records of properties linked to Darbhanga Raj that have neither been formally partitioned nor validly transferred among beneficiaries. A 1987 ruling by the Supreme Court of India had directed that the division of such assets should take place through mutual agreement among stakeholders, a process that remains incomplete in several cases.
Part of the estate is currently held by a trust established in the name of Maharaja Kameshwar Singh. In addition to landholdings, the estate is believed to include financial assets held in banks and government treasuries.
Officials said the government is also identifying parcels of land historically associated with Darbhanga Raj that are now under alleged illegal occupation.
The move follows a similar approach adopted in the case of Bettiah Raj, where the state enacted legislation to reclaim properties and address encroachments. Authorities indicated that a comparable legal framework may be introduced for Darbhanga Raj.
The department has set May 10, 2026 as the deadline for submitting objections. After this date, the government is expected to move forward with legislation to formalise the acquisition process.
