Saif Ali Khan, Pataudi family may lose Rs 15,000-crore properties in Bhopal: Report

The central government can take over the Pataudi family properties in Madhya Pradesh under provisions of the Enemy Property Act, 1968, as per a ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

The HC recently lifted a stay on these properties which was imposed in 2015, thus making it easier for the central government to take these establishments under its control, as per a report by NDTV.

There are several houses and palaces that Saif Ali Khan and his family own in Bhopal. These include the Flag Staff House, Dar-Us-Salam, Noor-Us Sabah Palace, the Ahmedabad Palace, Bungalow of Habibi, Kohefixa Property, and others.

As per provisions of the Enemy Property Act, the central government can claim properties of those who migrated to Pakistan post the partition.

While lifting the stay, Justice Vivek Agarwal said that a statutory remedy does exist to prevent this takeover as per the amended Enemy Property Act, 2017. He has directed the concerned parties to file a representation against the takeover within a period of 30 days.

Justice Agarwal, as per the report, said, "If a representation is filed within 30 days from today, the appellate authority shall not advert to the aspect of limitation and shall deal with the appeal on its own merits."

Hamidullah Khan was the last Nawab of Bhopal. He had three daughters, and Abida Sultana, the eldest, migrated in 1950 to Pakistan. This is the reason these properties may fall under the Enemy Property Act.

The second daughter, Sajida Sultan, married Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi (Saif's grandfather and a former captain of the Indian cricket team). Thus, she became the legal heir of the Nawab's properties, a share of which was inherited by the Go Goa Gone actor.

1.5 lakh residents are anxious about the potential takeover after the government has been pushing forward its plans to determine ownership by conducting surveys.

"The stay has been lifted, but merging these properties under the Enemy Property Act is complicated. The Pataudi family still has a chance to appeal," one of the residents of these properties told the publication.

Another said, "The government is claiming these properties, but many have been sold or leased over the years. This issue is far from straightforward."