The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed actor Saif Ali Khan to challenge the central government’s decision to declare the Pataudi family’s historical properties as “enemy property.” The properties, estimated to be worth ₹15,000 crore, are at risk of being seized under the Enemy Property Act.
The Enemy Property Act enables the central government to claim properties owned by people who migrated to Pakistan after the Partition. The law was implemented in 1968, following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
In 2014, the Custodian of Enemy Property Department issued a notice declaring the Pataudi family’s properties in Bhopal as enemy property. The dispute escalated after the 2016 ordinance, which clarified that heirs had no rights to these properties.
Disputed Properties Under Scrutiny
The properties involved include the Flag Staff House, where Saif spent his childhood, Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, Bungalow of Habibi, Ahmedabad Palace, and Kohefiza Property. The court has been hearing Khan’s challenge since 2015.
Court Directs Appeal Process
During a hearing on December 13, 2023, Deputy Solicitor General Pushpendra Yadav told the court that an appellate authority had been set up to handle enemy property disputes. Justice Vivek Agarwal confirmed that a statutory remedy exists under the Enemy Property Act (2017), which allows the concerned parties to file a representation within 30 days.
Khan was instructed to approach the appellate tribunal by January 12, 2025, but no confirmation has been received on whether he has filed the appeal. Bhopal Collector Kaushlendra Singh confirmed that he had not seen the court order yet and would study it before proceeding.
In 1947, Bhopal was a princely state, and Nawab Hamidullah Khan was the last Nawab. His eldest daughter, Abida Sultan, migrated to Pakistan in 1950, triggering the legal proceedings over the properties.