Saif Ali Khan's Ancestral Property Declared As Enemy Property By High Court

High Court Dismisses Saif Ali Khan’s Petition

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a petition by actor Saif Ali Khan. He had appealed the government's move to declare his ancestral properties as enemy property. The court held that properties worth ₹15,000 crore of Saif's family are now formally declared enemy property.

Court Orders Further Investigation

The High Court ordered the trial court to retry the case. It also ordered that the ultimate verdict is to be delivered within one year. The order raises doubts regarding the legal ownership of such assets.

Background of the Property Dispute

Saif Ali Khan's family in Bhopal possesses various heritage properties. These were inherited from his maternal grandmother, Sajida Sultan. Sajida was the daughter of the last Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan.

Family Lineage Details

Hamidullah Khan had two daughters. The older one, Abida Sultan, shifted to Pakistan in 1950 following the partition. Sajida remained in India and married Iftikhar Ali Khan, Nawab of Pataudi and Saif's grandfather. Later, Sajida took over the properties, which got transferred to her descendants, including Saif.

Enemy Property Declaration by Custodian Office

In 2015, the Custodian of Enemy Property Office announced that Hamidullah Khan was the only legal heir. The office proclaimed the properties as enemy properties. Their argument was that Abida Sultan had shifted to Pakistan, placing the properties in the category of the Enemy Property Act.

Saif's Legal Challenge

Saif Ali Khan and his relatives challenged this announcement. They sued in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Nevertheless, the court has now rejected their petition, supporting the government's previous stance.