Hyderabad: They have finally won the battle royal. But the struggle is far from over. After nine long years of tussle, relief has come but it is considered a pittance by `shahi' standards.

Manolya Onur has finally won the case against her estranged husband Mukarram Jah Bahadur in the family court here seeking maintenance for herself and her teenaged daughter Niloufer.

Judge Radhakrishna pronounced the verdict on Monday awarding maintenance of $15,000 per month, `mehr' of $7 lakh and repayment of loan of $3 lakh.

Ms. Onur is stated to have loaned the amount soon after her marriage. The court ordered Mr. Mukarram Jah not to sell or alienate any of his palaces till he fulfilled these obligations.

Onur, daughter cry in joy

Ms. Onur and her daughter were not present when the much-awaited judgement came as they had left for Istanbul two weeks ago.

"They are very happy and cried with joy when I informed them on the phone," Jhaveri, a close friend of Ms. Onur, told The Hindu .

The maintenance granted by the court is a mutually agreed amount, but it is seen as way below the Nizam's standards.

"It is middle class. Not something great or luxurious," Ms. Jhaveri remarked.

The relief covers the maintenance of Ms. Onur, her daughter, their living expenses and school fee.

"The rents are pretty high in Turkey. Niloufer studies in an international school and she plans to visit Switzerland soon. It is a pity Mr. Mukkaram Jah has money for everything but not for his daughter," Ms. Jhaveri said.

She said the legal process was far from over as Mr. Mukkaram Jah was sure to go on appeal.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail