Howrah (West Bengal) [India], May 5 (ANI): Sultana Begum, great-granddaughter-in-law of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, on Monday said she is 'shattered' and will seek help from the public after the Supreme Court rejected her plea to seek possession of the Mughal emperor's house.

Speaking to ANI, Sultana Begum said that she had denied the public's help in past as she had faith in the Supreme Court. She further stated that Bahadur Shah Zafar did so much for his nation and never betrayed his country.

She clarified that she only sought possession of Bahadur Shah Zafar's house and not any specific property.

'I did not mention Lal Qila (Red Fort), I only sought possession of Bahadur Shah Zafar's house. I don't know whether it is Lal Qila (Red Fort), Zafar Mahal or Fatehpur Sikri...that the government knows...I was hopeful that I would get justice from the SC, but today that hope has shattered. Now, where should I go? Should I go and beg now or defame him? What should I do? Bahadur Shah Zafar did so much for his nation; he sacrificed his son, his crown was taken, but he never betrayed his country, she stated.

'I got an offer of help from so many countries, but I said that I will not leave my nation. I am completely shattered after this...Those who betrayed their country are living a lavish life, and the man who was loyal to his country, his family is suffering today...There is no one to listen to us...I denied the public's help because I had faith in the SC. But now, when no options are left, I will get help from the public,'She added.

Supreme Court today dismissed a plea of Sultana Begum, claiming to be the widow of late Mirza Mohammed Bedar Bakht, the great-grandson of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, seeking possession of the Red Fort on account of being the legal 'heir'.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar dismissed her plea saying, 'Why only Red fort? Why not Fatehpur Sikhri? Why leave them also. Writ is completely misconceived. Dismissed.'

Begum approached the apex court in an appeal against a division bench order of the Delhi High Court order which rejected her plea on December 13, 2024.

High Court's division bench had rejected her plea filed against the December 2021 decision of a single judge of the court which also dismissed her plea.

On December 20, 2021, a single judge bench of the High Court dismissed Begum's petition seeking possession of the Red Fort saying there was no justification for the inordinate delay in approaching the court after over 150 years. (ANI)