Saif Ali Khan has safely returned home from Lilavati Hospital after sustaining multiple injuries owing to the robbery and knife assault incident at his Bandra residence. On the one hand, where the family is celebrating his return, on the other hand, another piece of news has surfaced which might put a dent into the celebratory mood. Latest reports suggest that the stay that was put on the Pataudi family’s historical properties, worth an estimated ₹15,000 crore, has been lifted by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Owing to the decision of the court, there is a high chance that Saif’s family can lose their property to government acquisition under the Enemy Property Act, of 1968.
The properties in question include Flag Staff House, where Khan spent his childhood, along with Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, and others, NDTV reported.
Justice Vivek Agarwal made it clear while passing the order that a statutory remedy exists under the amended Enemy Property Act, of 2017. He mentioned that the concerned parties can file a representation within 30 days.
What is the Enemy Property Act?
According to the Enemy Property Act, the central government gets the permit to seize properties owned by people who migrated to Pakistan after partition.
The co-relation with the Pataudi family properties
The last Nawab of Bhopal was Hamidullah Khan, who had three daughters. His eldest daughter, Abida Sultan, moved to Pakistan in 1950, while the second daughter, Sajida Sultan became the rightful heir by staying in India and marrying Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. And, Saif Ali Khan is the grandson of Sajida Sultan; thus, he inherited a portion of the properties.
However, here comes the twist, the government made its case on Abida Sultan’s migration. Therefore they are claiming the properties as “enemy property.”
Back in 2019, it was acknowledged by the court that Sajida Sultan was the rightful heir. However, the latest ruling has once again brought the properties into a conflicting situation.
