'Only sought Bahadur Shah Zafar's house': Mughal emperor's 'heir' Sultana Begum after SC rejects plea for Red Fort ownership

NEW DELHI: Sultana Begum, who claims to be the geat-granddaughter-in-law of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, broke down in disappointment on Monday after the Supreme Court dismissed her plea seeking possession of the Red Fort.
The court, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, dismissed her petition as “completely misconceived.” The bench said, “Why only Red Fort? Why not Fatehpur Sikri? Why leave them also.”
The ruling came as a final blow to Begum, who has spent years trying to reclaim what she says is her rightful ancestral property.
Speaking to ANI news agency with visible emotion, she said, "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...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..."
Begum had approached the apex court after the Delhi high court rejected her plea in both 2021 and 2024. The high court had cited an “inordinate delay” of over 150 years in bringing the matter to court.
In her petition, Begum said that the Red Fort was taken from her family after the 1857 revolt against East India Company, when the British exiled Bahadur Shah Zafar and seized control of the property.
She claimed the central government is now the “illegal occupant” and sought either possession or financial compensation for its use since 1857.
Begum also stated that her late husband, Mirza Muhammad Bedar Bakht - believed to be the great-grandson of Zafar - was officially recognised by the Nehru government in 1960 and granted a political pension. She married him in 1965 and received a pension after his death in 1980.
Now, with the Supreme Court closing the door on her legal claim, Sultana Begum says she has no choice but to turn to the public for support.