Nawab Najaf Ali Khan expressed on Sunday that Azmet Jah is unfit to assume the title of Nizam IX. Khan argued in a written appeal that Azmet Jah’s father, Mukarram Jah, never resided in Hyderabad, and hence did not learn about the Asif Jahi Tehzeeb or rituals. Consequently, Khan contends that Azmet Jah cannot be considered the “head of the Asif Jah dynasty” when his knowledge is limited to the exclusion of the family and attempting to seize the throne on his father’s Ziyarat day.
Najaf Ali Khan stated that Mukarram Jah, the titular Nizam of Hyderabad, had no interest in the title bestowed upon him, which in turn complicated his life. He became a silent witness to the downfall of his family, failing to utilize his vast wealth and resources to improve the family’s condition. Khan argued that had Mukarram Jah taken action when the family’s situation deteriorated, they would not be facing the current predicament.
Khan asserted that Azmat Jha’s declaration raises several objections and rejections. He noted that a “Decree” can only be pronounced by a Court, government authority, or the head of a state. A decree that self-proclaims a common citizen as the head of a dynasty is not legally valid, particularly after the abolishment of Titles and Privy Purses in 1971.
Khan also recounted the tale of Nizam VII, who passed away on 24th February 1967. Just three days after his death, Mukarram Jah obtained and presented a certificate that allowed him to take control of and seize all the private properties, movable and immovable wealth held by Nizam VII. However, this certificate was quashed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in W.P. No 863 of 1967.
Excerpts from the judgement:
“In the result we hold that the Government of India has no power or jurisdiction whether under Article 362 or otherwise to issue the certificate recognizing the 2nd Respondent as the sole successor to all the private properties moveable and immoveable held by the late Nizam or to authorize transfer of the private properties to the 2nd Respondent. Accordingly, we allow the writ Petition with costs and quash the certificate dated 27.2.1967 issued to the Nizam the 2nd Respondent relating to the successor to private property of the late Nizam”.
When Mukarram Jah challenged the 1968 Judgement of Andhra Pradesh High Court in the Supreme Court, he requested Union of India to become a party towards his support of the Succession Certificate. However, the Union of India refused to assist him, expressing more interest in helping the heirs of Nizam VII to recover possession which they lost only on account of the certificate. In 1971, the 26th Amendment of the Constitution of India abolished all Titles and Privy Purses held by the princely states.
Khan emphasized that the title held by Mukarram Jah was quashed and abolished by competent government authorities in 1968 and 1971, rendering his title as Nizam VIII null and void. He further stated that Azmet Jah has self-proclaimed himself as the IXth Nizam of Asaf Jahi Dynasty by issuing a self-declaration dated Friday 20th January 2023, signed by two persons who are not part of the Nizam Family.
Khan mentioned that the Succession Certificate dated 27.02.1967 was misused several times by Mukarram Jah’s GPA’S to sell Wakf and ancestral properties worth crores of rupees and cause irreparable financial damage to the family. He also stated that strict legal action will be pursued to prevent misuse of this null and void title and curb any misinformation that stems from it.
