Govt. May Take Control of Pataudi Family's Rs 15,000 Crore Bhopal Property

Photo: Instagram/@saifalikhan_online

The Pataudi family's historic properties, worth an estimated Rs 15,000 crore and linked to Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, are now closer to being taken under government control.

In a key decision, the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently lifted a stay that had been placed on these properties in 2015. This ruling could open the door for the properties to be acquired by the government under the Enemy Property Act, of 1968.

Some of the well-known properties in question include the Flag Staff House, where Saif Ali Khan spent his childhood. Other properties under scrutiny are Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, Bungalow of Habibi, Ahmedabad Palace, Kohefiza Property, and more.

The court’s decision was made by Justice Vivek Agarwal. He pointed out that there is a legal process under the updated Enemy Property Act of 2017. He also instructed all concerned parties to file a representation within 30 days. The court emphasized that if the representation is filed on time, the appeal will be considered based on its merits, without looking at any issues related to time limits.

The Enemy Property Act allows the government to claim properties owned by people who moved to Pakistan after the Partition of India in 1947.
The Pataudi family’s history with these properties goes back to the last Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan, who had three daughters. His eldest daughter, Abida Sultan, moved to Pakistan in 1950. The second daughter, Sajida Sultan, stayed in India, married Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, and became the legal heir to the family properties.

Sajida’s grandson, Saif Ali Khan, inherited a share of these properties. However, the government claims these properties as “enemy property” due to Abida Sultan’s migration. In 2019, the court officially recognized Sajida Sultan as the legal heir. But the recent court ruling has once again sparked a legal battle over these properties.
The Bhopal collector, Kaushalendra Vikram Singh, has announced plans to check the ownership records of these properties from the past 72 years. He also mentioned that people currently living on these lands may be considered tenants according to the state’s leasing laws.

This news has caused worry for the 1.5 lakh people living in these areas. Many residents are afraid they could be forced to leave if the government moves forward with its plan to take control of the properties. The government is set to conduct surveys to determine who owns the land.

Some residents, like Sumer Khan, have said that while the stay has been lifted, the process of merging the properties under the Enemy Property Act is complicated. He pointed out that the Pataudi family still has a chance to appeal.

Other residents, such as Chand Mian, are concerned about their homes. “We pay taxes, but there’s no official record for our homes. The leases from the Nawab should still be honored,” he said.

Naseem Khan, another resident, added, “The government is claiming these properties, but many of them have been sold or leased over the years. It’s not a simple issue.”

The situation remains unclear, and while the legal battle continues, the future of these historic properties is uncertain. The Pataudi family still has time to fight the government’s claim, and this case will likely go through more legal stages before a final decision is made.

Jan. 22, 2025 {{ Blogdetails.schedule_date|time }} 353

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