Bollywood actress Saif Ali Khan, who is still recovering from a knife attack, has found herself in yet another predicament.
A Madhya Pradesh court has lifted a restraining order on properties belonging to the Pataudi family worth Rs 15,000 crore.
This development has increased the chances of the government seizing their native assets. The properties include Saif’s childhood residence, Flagstaff House, Noor Al Sabah Palace, Dar es Salaam, Habibi Bungalow, Ahmedabad Palace and several properties.
These heritage properties hold a lot of emotional and financial value for the actor and his family. The case is being prosecuted under Enemy Property Act 1968.
The law empowers the government to claim properties whose owners migrated to Pakistan or China during partition.
This dispute has arisen from Nawab Hameedullah Khan, Saif’s grandfather. His elder daughter Abida Sultan migrated to Pakistan after Partition, which started legal claims on the family’s properties in India.
When Abida Sultan moved to Pakistan, Nawab Hamidullah Khan’s younger daughter Sajda Sultan stayed in India and married Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi.
Through him the disputed properties were inherited. Saif Ali Khan. However, due to Abida’s migration, the government classified the assets as “enemy property”.
The court has given 30 days time to all the parties to present their stand. For Saif Ali Khan, it’s not just about financial loss but a battle to protect his family’s legacy.
This legal challenge adds to Saif’s woes and it remains to be seen how he will proceed with this highly sensitive and emotional matter.
