DANCING GIRL’S BABY

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1925, Page 8

DANCING GIRL’S BABY

MUMTAZ .BEGUM CASE. Mumtaz Begum Mustnpha, the beau tiful mdian dancing girl, for 10 years tlx* mistress of tlie .Maharajah of Ju dore, and the central figure in a. rccent sensational kidnapping attempt, at Bombay, startled the court when tin' trial of the alleged ringleaders opened. The Mului.rajah twice visited Eng'l:iml, in 1917 ami 1921. Last, year she incurred the J’ri ace’s displeasure, escaped from her gilded cage in the jial ace at. Indore, and went, to Bombay. There she made the acquaintance of a wealthy young merchant, Abdul Kadir Bawla, and went to live with him. Later Bawla received threaten ing letters and also offers of money if he would break off relations with the girl; while Mumtaz herself was threatened with disfigurement. In January th,- threats were carried mil. At sunset, while Bawla. and the girl were riding home t ( > dinner in a motor ear on Malabar Hill, the fash ionalde residential quarter of Bombay, a gang shot .Bawla dead and disfigured the face o,f t.liO girl with knives. II was intended to kidnap Mumtaz Begum al Louavla, near Bombay, where she was known to be staying with Mr .Bav<ta, who was on holiday there. The couple, however, left the district the day before the gang arrived, and they were followed towards Bombay. THE Ml REDLRIin BABY. Counsel alleged that men bribed Mr Bawla’s chauffeur, with whom it was arranged that the gang should closely follow his car in another ce.r, and that the attack should take place on Malabar Hill. Mumtaz Begum said sin* was mistress of the Maharajah of Indore •lor ten years, and accompanied him during his visit to England, where she ga\ t - b’rrth to a baby. I'ouiisel: And what became ol your ha by ’ Mum.az. Begum (lowering her heud and speaking in subdued tones): It was murdered, sir. "The prestige <»<’ British justice in India will go to pieces it the arch criminal behind the scenes is not. unhesitatingly dragged out from the security he fancies Im enjoys, lie must he brought to justice.”