The Ruthiya family of Madhya Pradesh, India, has asked the UK government to repay, with interest, a claimed 35,000-rupee loan made by its ancestor Jummalal Ruthiya during the First World War. The family says a certificate dated June 4, 1917 documents the transaction, which it says was intended to support Indian soldiers serving with British forces. It has not yet set the total amount it will seek after calculating present value, interest, compound interest and related costs.

According to the family, the money was provided through a British government official working at the Bhopal Agency. Gautam Ruthiya said the UK Debt Management Office requested relevant documents and said the matter had been sent for investigation. British authorities have not confirmed that they will accept the claim, and the document request is part of a verification process.

The family says it found the document in February while reviewing old records for another case and then contacted the UK government through a lawyer. Authorities have sought family records, genealogy, old certificates, details of the loan amount and information on forms used at the time. The family says the loan was never repaid or settled and may consider legal action or arbitration after original documents are verified.