Actor Saif Ali Khan, who recently survived a stabbing attack at his residence, finds himself at the center of a legal storm regarding his ancestral Pataudi properties. The recent verdict of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has once again thrown the spotlight to seize Pataudi Family Properties which may affect assets valued at a massive ₹15,000 crore.
Court Revives Controversy Over Enemy Property Act
The single-bench judgment, delivered by Justice Vivek Agarwal, overturned a 2015 stay that shielded the lavish estates of the Pataudi family from government acquisition under the Enemy Property Act of 1968. By enacting this act, the government is authorized to file demands over the property of persons who fled from India or China in decisive historical periods, defining this property as “enemy property.
Justice Agarwal further pointed out that the amended Enemy Property Act of 2017 offers statutory redress. He instructed all parties involved to put forth their claims within 30 days, which could change the ownership of structures such as the famous Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Flag Staff House, and Ahmedabad Palace.
What Led to the Controversy?
The legal controversy originated in 2014 when the Custodian of the Enemy Property Department declared the Bhopal properties of the Pataudi family to be enemy property. This designation stemmed from the 1947 migration of Abida Sultan, the eldest daughter of Nawab Hamidullah Khan, to Pakistan. While her sister, Sajida Sultan, remained in India and married Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the legal heirship of these properties became contentious.
Sajida Sultan’s grandson, Saif Ali Khan, came into a portion of the assets after the demise of his father, Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, in 2011. Nevertheless, the 2017 amendment to the Enemy Property Act, disallowed heirs to claim enemy property rights. This clause has made it difficult for the Pataudi clan to recover full control of their ancestral lands.
Stakes Rise as Legal Battle Continues Regarding Pataudi Family Properties Seize
In terms of some of the properties like the Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam and the Pataudi Flag House aforementioned may be threatened, the Pataudi Family Properties Seize is still a high-stakes legal affair. The verdict has generated an enormous public outpouring since it combines ancient history, legal intricacies, and visceral associations with Royal history.
At the same time, the current regime makes clear that across India, the powers conferred by the Enemy Property Act extend far beyond private ancestral property owned by the Khan family.
Also, see: Saif Ali Khan attack case: How did the attacker enter India?