Bollywood star and royal heir Saif Ali Khan has suffered a massive legal blow after a Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling declared his ancestral properties—valued at a staggering ₹15,000 crore—as enemy property. This decision marks a turning point in a decades-long legal battle over the legacy of the Pataudi and Bhopal royal families.

How Did This Happen?

The dispute dates back to India’s partition. Initially, the court had ruled in favor of Saif’s grandmother, Sajjida Sultan, allowing her to retain ownership. However, other family heirs challenged the decision, arguing that the property should be divided according to the Muslim Personal Law of 1937.

In a dramatic update, the Madhya Pradesh High Court overturned the previous ruling, citing the Enemy Property Act. This law allows the Indian government to seize assets of those who migrated to Pakistan after partition and became Pakistani citizens. Since Sajjida Sultan’s sister moved to Pakistan, the court determined that these properties fall under this act.

What Is Enemy Property?

Under India’s Enemy Property Act, properties belonging to those who left for Pakistan after 1947 and acquired Pakistani citizenship can be legally taken over by the Indian government. This is precisely what happened in the case of the Pataudi and Bhopal royal estates.

Saif Ali Khan had previously obtained a stay on the court’s decision in 2015, but this stay was lifted in December 2024. The court then gave Saif and his family 30 days to file a claim, but no claim was submitted. As a result, the Bhopal district administration now has the legal right to seize the properties.

Saif Ali Khan’s Emotional Response

Reacting to the loss, Saif Ali Khan said,
“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. Their security, serenity, and a spiritual connection there for me. The land in itself is several centuries old. But the palace which my grandfather built for my grandmother is about 100 years old.”

He added that after India abolished royal titles and privy purses, the family’s circumstances changed, leading his father to lease out the palace.
“This isn’t just about money. These properties are deeply tied to the legacy of the Pataudi and Bhopal royal families,” Saif emphasized.

What’s Next?

With the court’s latest decision, the Bhopal district administration is now empowered to seize the properties. While this is a huge personal and emotional loss for Saif Ali Khan, the court’s ruling is strictly in accordance with the law.

This case not only highlights the complexities of royal inheritances in India but also the far-reaching impact of historical events like partition on modern families and their legacies.