Saif Ali Khan Loses Properties Worth ₹15,000 Crore as Court Declares Them ‘Enemy Property’

Bollywood actor and royal heir Saif Ali Khan has suffered a major legal setback after a Madhya Pradesh court declared properties worth ₹15,000 crore, once owned by his illustrious family, as ‘enemy property’.

The properties, which have been in the Pataudi and Bhopal royal families for generations, were previously ruled in favor of Saif’s grandmother, Sajjida Sultan. However, other heirs challenged the decision, arguing that the inheritance should be divided according to the Muslim Personal Law of 1937.

In a recent development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court overturned the earlier verdict and classified the assets as ‘enemy property’. According to India’s Enemy Property Act, if an individual migrated to Pakistan after Partition and became a Pakistani citizen, their properties in India can be seized by the government. The court cited that Sajjida Sultan’s sister had moved to Pakistan, leading to the reclassification of the family’s holdings under this law.

Saif Ali Khan had previously managed to secure a stay on the court’s decision in 2015, but that stay was lifted in December 2024. The court then gave Saif and his family 30 days to contest the ruling, but no claim was filed.

With the legal pathway cleared, the Bhopal district administration now has the authority to seize the properties.

Reacting to the development, Saif Ali Khan expressed his deep emotional connection to the land:

“It’s impossible to put a value to it in monetary terms because, emotionally, the property is priceless. My grandparents and my father are buried there. There is security, serenity, and a spiritual connection for me. The land itself is several centuries old, and the palace my grandfather built for my grandmother is about 100 years old.”

Saif also reflected on the changing times since India abolished royal titles and privy purses, noting that his father decided to lease out the palace due to shifting circumstances.

“This isn’t just about money. These properties are deeply tied to the legacy of the Pataudi and Bhopal royal families,” Saif added.

While the court’s decision marks the end of an era for Saif Ali Khan and his family, it is a reminder that the law prevails, even over legacies centuries in the making.