Uncertainty over fate of Rs 15,000 crore properties inherited by Saif and family: Lawyers
Bhopal (PTI): The fate of properties of Rs 15,000 crore owned by Bhopal's erstwhile rulers and inherited by actor Saif Ali Khan and his family remains in limbo due to uncertainty over filing an appeal against an order of the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property, lawyers have said.
If an appeal is not filed by Bhopal Nawab's successors against the order of the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India, the properties may come under the Centre's control, the lawyers said on Wednesday.
It is not yet clear whether they have filed an appeal before the Mumbai-based Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property, which comes under the Union home ministry, following a Madhya Pradesh High Court order of December 13, 2024 on the issue.
Saif Ali Khan's mother and noted actress Sharmila Tagore (Pataudi) and others had challenged in the HC the order dated February 24, 2015, of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India that termed the property of Bhopal Nawab as "Enemy Property".
The authority under the home ministry had given its ruling on the ground that Nawab Muhammad Hamidullah Khan's eldest daughter Abida Sultan Begum migrated to Pakistan following the Partition. Therefore, all such properties that she was supposed to succeed are enemy properties and vest in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India.
However, senior advocate and expert on merger of Nawab properties, Jagdish Chhavani, quoted an order dated January 10, 1962 that after the death of Hamidullah Khan in 1960, the Government of India recognised Sajida Sultan Begum "as such ruler, is the sole successor to all private properties, movable and immovable, held by Nawab Hamidullah. And the GoI have no objection to such properties being transferred to Sajida Sultan Begum."
Sajida Sultan Begum is the second daughter of Nawab Hamidullah and as the eldest daughter (Abida) migrated to Pakistan, Sajida became the owner of all such properties, he told PTI.
Later, Sajida's son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (Tiger Pataudi) became the successor of these properties and after him Saif Ali Khan is the owner of these properties, estimated to be valued at nearly Rs 15,000 crore.
But after the order of Custodian of Enemy Property, the ownership title became disputed which was challenged by Sharmila Tagore (Saif's mother and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's wife) in the high court in 2015.
During hearing on December 13, 2024, the government advocate informed "that in the year 2017, the Act, namely the Enemy Property Act 1968, has been repealed from a retrospective date and the appellate authority has been constituted for adjudication of disputes in regard to enemy property."
In his order on December 13, 2024, Justice Vivek Agrawal said, "In view of the such facts, since a statutory remedy of filing a representation has been provided, parties are relegated to avail such remedy. However, at this distance of time, the issue of limitation may arise."
"Therefore, it is directed that if representation is filed within thirty days from today (December 13), then the appellate authority shall not advert to the aspect of limitation and shall deal with the appeal on its own merits," the order said.
"In above terms, the petitions stand disposed of," it added.
However, Bhopal Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh said he has not seen the high court order and will comment only after getting all relevant details.
Advocate Chhavani said in case Saif Ali Khan's family has not yet filed an appeal during the stipulated period of 30 days from the date of order, they (Khan family) can still approach the authorities and request for an extension citing various exigencies, including the recent one (attack on the actor at his Mumbai residence).
He said till this confusion prevails, the fate of lakhs of people occupying these properties as owners and tenants will remain in limbo.
The properties inherited by Saif Ali Khan and his family include Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, Bungalow of Habibi, Ahmedabad Palace and Flag Staff House.
The Enemy Property Act was passed in Parliament in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan war (1965) to regulate properties left behind in India by those who emigrated to Pakistan.
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
