GIRL'S ALLEGATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22144, 25 June 1935, Page 9

GIRL'S ALLEGATION

MAHAKAJAH ACCUSED STATEMENT IN COURT GUARDIANSHIP ORDER MADE By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright BOMBAY. J tin# 23 A beautiful 16-year-old girl named Dharmey, stepping barefooted into the witneßS-box in the High Court, related an extraordinary story when her brother applied to be established as her guardian. Dharmey stated in evidence that her parents resided in Sirohi, Rajputana, where they had suffered persecution and imprisonment. She went to the Maharajah of Sirohi's bungalow, and, kneeling before the maharajah, pleaded for mercj. The maharajah promised to release her parents. Dharmey later found herself a prisoner. She was taken to another bungalow, where, she alleged, she was forced to become the maharajah s mistress. Three other girls were there in the same plight. Two months later Dh-ariney and the two girls were taken to a bungalow at Malabar Hill, Bombay, and the maharajah followed. Attempts were made to convert them to Mahommedanism. When the}* refused, she alleged, they were beaten. Subsequently she and the others climbed the wall round the bungalow at midnight and escaped. They took refuge in the Children's Eescue Home and the Court was informed. Dharmey's parents were brought to Bombay under alleged promises and threats in order to claim their daughter, thereby relieving the difficult situation in which the maharajah found himself, but Dharmey and her brother refused to discontinue the proceedings. The Judge appointed the brother Dharmev's guardian and ordered that she be kept at Bombay.

The Maharajah of Sirohi, who is 46 years old, rules a State with an area of 1964 square miles and a population of 216.528. He was educated in England and India. He was created K.C.S.I, in 1924 and G.C.I.E. in 1932.