It might be hanging fire for the last 60 years, but no efforts were spared to retrieve the fabulous fortune of the Nizam lying in a bank’s coffers at London. The seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, himself made attempts at the highest level to get back his money deposited in the National Westminister Bank. Despite his old age and failing health, he used his good offices with the Government of India to recover the money wrongfully transferred to another account in the name of then Pakistan High Commissioner, Habib Ibrahim Rahimtoola, in the same bank after the Police Action. The lengthy correspondence in this regard bears this out.
Lord Monckton, the British adviser of the Nizam also used his persuasive skills, but in vain. Maj. Gen. Inderjit Rikhye, the first commanding officer of Royal Deccan Horse, one of the Nizam’s regiment, too played his part in getting back the money. Gen Rikhye, who was also the military adviser to the United Nations, met former Pakistan President, Zia-ul-Haq, during the 80s and broached the issue of the Nizam’s funds