Court Declares Properties ‘Enemy Property’
The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently declared ancestral properties worth Rs 15,000 crore, linked to actor Saif Ali Khan, as ‘enemy property.’
The ruling overturned a 2000 trial court decision that named Saif, his mother Sharmila Tagore, and sisters Soha and Saba as heirs. The court dismissed Saif’s plea against the government’s classification, allowing potential government seizure. A retrial was ordered to reassess the inheritance dispute within a year.
Background of the Dispute
The properties belonged to Nawab Hamidullah Khan, the last ruler of Bhopal, who died in 1960. His daughter Sajida Sultan, Saif’s grandmother, inherited the estate after her sister Abida Sultan migrated to Pakistan in 1950. Abida’s move triggered the ‘enemy property’ label under the Enemy Property Act of 1958, strengthened post the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
This law allows the government to seize assets of those who migrated to Pakistan or China. The estate includes landmarks like Flag Staff House and Noor-Us-Sabah Palace.
How Saif Lost the Properties
In 2014, the Custodian of Enemy Property classified the Bhopal estate as ‘enemy property.’ Saif challenged this in 2015, securing a temporary stay.
On December 13, 2024, the High Court lifted the stay and dismissed his petition. The court gave Saif’s family 30 days to appeal to the appellate tribunal, but no appeal was filed. This cleared the way for the government to take over the properties, valued at Rs 15,000 crore. A retrial will now examine inheritance claims under Muslim Personal Law.
Who Filed the Case?
The case stems from appeals by other heirs of Nawab Hamidullah Khan, including Begum Suraiya Rashid and Nawab Mehr Taj Sajida Sultan. They challenged the 2000 trial court ruling, arguing the property division was unfair and should follow Muslim Personal Law.
Their appeals claimed the Bhopal district court wrongly dismissed their claims in 2000, favoring Saif’s family. The High Court agreed, citing an outdated legal precedent from the Allahabad High Court, overturned by the Supreme Court in 2020.
Saif Ali Khan’s Reaction
Saif Ali Khan and his family have not publicly commented on the recent ruling. Sources indicate the actor is focusing on his film career amid the legal setback. In the past, Saif dismissed rumors about repurchasing Pataudi Palace, calling its reported Rs 800 crore value an exaggeration. The lack of an appeal within the 30-day window suggests the family may be preparing for further legal steps in the retrial. The emotional toll is significant, as these properties tie to the Pataudi family’s royal legacy
Properties Still Remaining
While the Bhopal estate faces government acquisition, Saif retains ownership of other assets, notably the Pataudi Palace in Haryana, valued at around Rs 800 crore. This property, leased out in the past, remains under his control and is not part of the ‘enemy property’ dispute.
The ongoing retrial could potentially alter the inheritance structure, but for now, the Bhopal properties are at risk of government takeover. The final outcome depends on the trial court’s verdict, expected within a year.
The ruling has sparked debate on the Enemy Property Act’s impact on pre-Partition families. Legal experts suggest it could set a precedent for similar cases. For Saif, the loss is both financial and sentimental, tied to his family’s storied history. The retrial will determine if the Pataudi family can reclaim any rights or if the government will fully acquire the estate.
Saif Ali Khan Stabbed During Robbery Attempt