Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor's Royal Legacy: ₹15,000 Crore Pataudi Property Faces Legal Battle in Bhopal


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Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, renowned for his royal lineage and substantial ancestral properties, is currently facing a significant legal challenge concerning his family's estates in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. These properties, collectively valued at approximately ₹15,000 crore, are under the threat of government acquisition following a recent judicial development.
The estates in question include notable landmarks such as the Flag Staff House, Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, and Ahmedabad Palace. These properties have been integral to the Pataudi family's heritage, with the Flag Staff House notably serving as a childhood residence for Saif Ali Khan.
In December 2024, the Madhya Pradesh High Court lifted a stay order that had been protecting these properties since 2015. This judicial action potentially paves the way for the government to seize these assets under the Enemy Property Act of 1968. This Act empowers the central government to appropriate properties belonging to individuals who migrated to Pakistan or China after the partition of India.
The root of this legal predicament traces back to the last Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan, who had three daughters. His eldest daughter, Abida Sultan, migrated to Pakistan in 1950. The second daughter, Sajida Sultan, remained in India, married Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, and was recognized as the legal heir to her father's properties. Saif Ali Khan, being the grandson of Sajida Sultan, inherited a portion of these estates. However, the government's current claim is based on Abida Sultan's migration, classifying the properties as "enemy property" under the Act.
The High Court's decision has introduced uncertainty for the Pataudi family and the numerous residents occupying these properties. Justice Vivek Agarwal indicated that the concerned parties have a statutory remedy under the amended Enemy Property Act of 2017. The court has directed the family to present their case to the appellate authority within 30 days. As of January 21, 2025, it remains unclear whether the family has initiated this legal recourse.
Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh has stated that any administrative action will proceed only upon receiving a clear directive from the High Court. This situation has also caused concern among approximately 150,000 residents living on these lands, who now face potential displacement depending on the final legal outcome.
The unfolding scenario presents a complex intersection of historical inheritance, legal statutes, and individual rights. The Pataudi family's response to this challenge, along with the government's actions, will be pivotal in determining the future of these ancestral properties. This case underscores the intricate nature of property rights in post-colonial India, especially concerning laws like the Enemy Property Act, which continue to impact families decades after their enactment.
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Ishaan Murali
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