A significant legal dispute is unfolding over Saif Ali Khan’s ancestral property, valued at a staggering ₹15,000 crore. This includes iconic properties such as the Ahmedabad Palace, Flag Staff House, Noor Us Saba Palace, Dar Us Salam Bungalow, and Kohe Fiza Property. The core of the issue lies in a recent decision by the Madhya Pradesh High Court that has overturned a 25-year-old trial court ruling .
The Overturned Ruling and “Enemy Property” Classification
The previous trial court ruling had recognized Saif Ali Khan, his sisters Soha Ali Khan and Saba Khan, and his mother Sharmila Tagore as the rightful heirs to this vast property. However, the High Court has now mandated the trial court to re-hear the case concerning the inheritance of the Nawab of Bhopal’s property, with a decision expected within a year.
Adding a dramatic twist to the saga, the Pataudi family’s property has been declared “enemy property” . This classification is due to the fact that Nawab Hamidullah Khan’s eldest daughter, Abida Sultan, who was initially declared the heir, migrated to Pakistan in 1950. Under the Enemy Property Act of 1968, properties belonging to individuals who moved to countries deemed “enemy nations” (such as Pakistan) are declared enemy property.
A History of Legal Challenges
While the government initially recognized Sajida Sultan (Hamidullah Khan’s second daughter and Saif Ali Khan’s grandmother) as the legal heir in 1962 , other heirs demanded the distribution of Hamidullah’s private property in accordance with Muslim Personal Law . In 2014, the Custodian of Enemy Property in Mumbai officially declared the Pataudi family’s Bhopal property as enemy property . Saif Ali Khan challenged this decision in 2015, leading to a temporary stay on the enemy property proceedings .
The Impact of Recent Amendments
However, the recent High Court ruling has lifted this stay, effectively declaring the ₹15,000 crore property as enemy property . This decision is further compounded by the 2017 amendments to the Enemy Property Act, which significantly broadened its scope . These amendments now allow the government to seize properties of individuals with ties to enemy nations, even if they are Indian citizens or citizens of non-enemy countries. Crucially, the revised law also stipulates that original owners cannot claim rights over property once it has been declared as enemy property .
What Lies Ahead?
As a result of the High Court’s decision and the expanded Enemy Property Act, it appears that Saif Ali Khan may lose control of this substantial ₹15,000 crore property . The video concludes by explaining that once a property is declared enemy property, the Custodian of Enemy Property holds the authority to decide its fate – whether to sell it, auction it, or retain it under government control. The future of this ancestral estate now hangs in the balance.