Widow of George Cross winner to get back medal

Theres a ray of hope for Brahmi Devi,81-year-old widow of Naik Kirpa Ram who was a recipient of the George Cross gallantry medal in 1946

Theres a ray of hope for Brahmi Devi,81-year-old widow of Naik Kirpa Ram who was a recipient of the George Cross gallantry medal in 1946,following reports suggesting that a London court has ordered return of the medal to her,provided the current owner,Ashok Nath,is paid its cost and other expenses.

The case relating to the medal was pending with the High Court of London and Nath,a UK-based Indian national,had recently offered an out of court settlement. In 2009-2010,he had put up the medal for auction at Londons Dix Noonan Webb. S S Chandel,a retired IAS officer,had alerted the states CID department and the auction was put off at the last minute following intervention of the Indian High Commissioner. The state HC had asked the External Affairs Ministry to take appropriate steps.

According to Surinder Thakur,a Shimla-based lawyer,The court in its order of June 3,a copy of which has reached here a few days ago,has set a deadline of December 31,2013 for returning the medal after paying a claim of 12,000 as contribution to Naths cost and other expenses. Thakur said he has not yet informed Brahmi Devi about the order,as there is no clarity as to who actually will pay the amount to Nath. We will ask the Indian High Commission in London for help, he said.

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DIG (Crime) Satwant Atwal,however,said,The state government has no information about the court order. All we know is that the court wanted to listen to Brahmi Devis story and see her for which a video conference facility was being worked out.

A campaign is underway among the Indian community in Britain to raise 12,000 as costs to be paid to Nath. The medal and the medal group remain in custody of the Metropolitan Police until payment to the claimant (Nath) of the said sum of 12,000 , the court order read.

Kirpa Ram,born in 1916 at a remote village of Bilaspur district was a posthumous recipient of the George Cross,the highest British (and Commonwealth) gallantry medal. During the Second World War he was a member of the 8th Battalion,13th Frontier Force Rifles.

He was only 28 at the time of death. His widow,Brahmi Devi,then aged 13,had been married just days before her husband left for the battlefield. The medal was reported stolen from a trunk in her home at Bhapral in 2007. WITH PTI