109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan Claim

A 109-year-old war loan certificate from British India has received a fresh response, bringing renewed hope to a Sehore family seeking answers over an unpaid claim. Vivek Ruthia, 63, says his lawyer recently received an email, believed to be from the UK’s Debt Management Office, seeking the original certificate and related correspondence. The document, dated June 4, 1917, records that Seth Jumma Lal Ruthia subscribed Rs 35,000 to the Indian War Loan during World War I at an interest rate of 5.5%. The family claims the loan was never repaid. Ruthia says the amount could now be worth several crores under compound interest and potentially exceed Rs 10 crore if linked to gold prices. However, legal experts say any claim could face hurdles involving limitation laws, sovereign immunity and jurisdiction.