44 Years On, The Murder Of Rao Raja Hukum Singh Remains An Unsolved Royal Mystery

Last Updated:October 16, 2025, 18:10 IST

After Hukum Singh’s murder, Guman Singh was arrested, but the case stalled. Within a year, he disappeared amid reports he had died or lacked sufficient evidence against him

Rao Raja Hukum Singh was known for his sharp intellect, attractiveness, and outspoken nature. (News18 Hindi)

The unresolved mystery surrounding the death of Jodhpur’s Rao Raja Hukum Singh, also known as Tutu Banna, continues to intrigue many, even after more than four decades. He was murdered on April 17, 1981, but the circumstances of his death remain a puzzle in the royal corridors of Rajasthan.

Born in 1951 to Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur and his second wife Zubeda, Rao Raja Hukum Singh faced tragedy early in life. His parents died in a plane crash in 1952 when he was just one year old. He was then raised by his stepmother Rajmata Krishna Devi and stepbrother Maharaja Gaj Singh II.

Who Was Rao Raja Hukum Singh?

Rao Raja Hukum Singh was known for his sharp intellect, attractiveness, and outspoken nature. His unpredictable temperament garnered both admiration and fear. He mingled easily with everyone, from traders to courtiers, yet he was steadfast in his decisions and rarely heeded others’ advice.

Hukum Singh’s stubborn nature led him to join the Youth Congress, defying his family’s political stance. This decision caused upheaval in the palace. His rebellious streak did not end there; he frequently demanded his share of property, jewellery, and inheritance, sparking conflicts within the royal family. He was married to Rajeshwari Devi in a bid to calm his restless nature, but it only exacerbated his unrest.

Murder Mystery Remains Unsolved

On the night of April 17, 1981, Hukum Singh was murdered, and various stories emerged about the incident. The official statement claimed that he had been drinking heavily and got into a fight with four or five men, leading to the prince’s death during a sword clash. However, contradictions surfaced, especially when his wife Rajeshwari revealed he had quit drinking a year before his death, shifting the case’s direction.

Signs Of Struggle Raise Doubts

Another version of the murder suggested that Hukum Singh was attacked while sleeping on a cot in the garden of his home, Rai Ka Bagh Haveli. His broken cot, wristwatch, and signs of a struggle indicated a violent encounter, casting doubt on the first story. Witnesses never believed the official account.

Third Murder Story

A third narrative was presented by filmmaker Ismail Merchant in his autobiography ‘My Passage from India’. He claimed that Hukum Singh arrived with a sword at a dinner at Umaid Bhawan Palace, attended by Merchant and Maharaja Gaj Singh, where Hukum Singh was killed.

Who Was The Real Killer?

Following Hukum Singh’s murder, a man named Guman Singh was arrested, but the case stalled. Within a year, Guman Singh disappeared, and conflicting reports suggested he was either ‘very old and weak’ and had died, or there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Ultimately, the case file was closed, leaving the mystery of Rao Raja Hukum Singh’s murder unresolved to this day.

News india 44 Years On, The Murder Of Rao Raja Hukum Singh Remains An Unsolved Royal Mystery

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