Saif Ali Khan in new trouble? Nawab’s title, property worth billions at stake
Sanjeev Srivastav, Bhopal January 22,2025
Actor Saif Ali Khan, who was discharged from the hospital after a murderous attack and returned home, has faced a new crisis. Saif also holds the title of ‘Nawab’ of Bhopal. Saif owns property worth billions in and around Bhopal, the state capital of Madhya Pradesh before independence and today. Due to a court order and not taking or getting relief in time, Saif Ali Khan’s title of ‘Nawab’ and property are said to be in danger.
A decision has been taken on the matter related to the High Court’s stay on the Nawab property of Bhopal state. The court’s decision came on the 13th of last month. Relief could have been taken on this within a month. That period has passed. No appeal or new instructions have come from the court. Now, due to the picture that has emerged, Saif Ali’s old title of Nawab and the estimated assets of Bhopal state worth about 15 thousand crores are said to be in trouble.
Experts are saying that after the court’s stance, the government can acquire enemy properties. The property is in its place, but it is also being said that the family title of ‘Bhopal Nawab’ will also not be saved.
Bhopal’s senior advocate and expert in merger and Nawab property matters Jagdish Chhabani said, on December 13, 2024, the High Court has given an arrangement. No relief has been received so far. In such a situation, the government is preparing to declare this property as enemy property and acquire it.
What is called enemy property?
There is a law in our country regarding enemy property. China, Pakistan and other declared enemy countries are clearly mentioned in this law. If the citizens of India express faith in such countries. If the charge is proved or the Indian becomes a citizen of any of these two countries,
The Enemy Property Office (Mumbai) had issued a certificate on 24 February 2015. In this certificate, Nawab Hamidullah Khan’s elder daughter Abida Sultan was recognized as the heir. Since Abida Sultan had become a citizen of Pakistan before 1960.
Later the matter reached the court. Nawab’s younger daughter Sajida Sultan got the title of Nawab. After the death of Sajida Sultan, her son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi got all the rights. After the death of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan became the owner of medals and assets.
There are many types of disputes regarding the properties of Bhopal State. Many cases are pending in the court. Decisions have been given in many cases. The properties related to the cases have been declared enemy properties after the decision. Similarly, after the court order came last month regarding the cases pending in the court, the situation of 2015 has arisen.
According to Advocate Chhabani, the Enemy Property Office had considered Abida Sultan as the heir of the Nawab. On the other hand, the Central Government had declared Sajida Sultan as the heir. Due to this dispute, the future of many historical properties of Bhopal is hanging in balance. It can also affect the homes of lakhs of people.
Other experts are saying that the Pataudi family still has many options left, due to which the fight will drag on for longer. But if the properties of Bhopal go to the government, then Saif Ali Khan will lose the tag of Bhopal Nawab. When he will not have properties, he will no longer be the Nawab of Bhopal.
Merger and Act
This entire matter is related to the merger of Bhopal State with India in 1949. Bhopal State was merged with the Union of India on 1 June 1949. But the title of Nawab is still valid under the Bhopal Gaddi Succession Act of 1947. It is clearly written in this Act that only the eldest child of Nawab Hamidullah Khan will be the Nawab of Bhopal, whether it is a son or a daughter. According to Article 7 of the Merger Agreement, the Government of India will recognize the successor of Bhopal State.
On this basis, the Enemy Property Office considered Nawab Hamidullah Khan’s eldest daughter Abida Sultan as the heir and considered her the Nawab of Bhopal. According to this, now this title will go to the eldest child of Abida’s son and former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Shahryar Khan. On 24 February 2015, the Enemy Property Office (Mumbai) also issued a certificate and considered Abida as the heir of the Nawab. Since Abida had become a Pakistani citizen before 1960, all the properties that the Nawab had till 1960 came under the category of enemy property. Now the central government will have rights over these.
No reaction has come from Saif Ali Khan’s lawyers or his family members regarding this latest case. Since Saif is ill, he could not be questioned on this issue.