The Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed a long-standing petition filed by the Pataudi family, challenging the classification of their ancestral property as ‘enemy property’. This latest ruling has made it clear that the government will soon take over the property belonging to the royal family of Bhopal, which is worth ₹15,000 crore.

This matter started in 2014, when a notice was issued by the Custodian of Enemy Property Department, stating the Pataudi family estate in Bhopal as ‘enemy property’ under the Enemy Property Act. This declaration was contested by actor Saif Ali Khan in 2015 and received a stay on the property. However, in December 2024, the High Court lifted the stay and a 30-day time period was given by the court to the Saif family to approach the appellate tribunal. However, with the 30 day deadline expired and no claim filed by the family, the property can now be acquired by the government at any time.

What is the Enemy Property Act?

This Act was enacted in 1950, and post the India-Pakistan war in 1965, the Indian government took strict measures and seized many properties belonging to individuals who had resided in India but migrated to China or Pakistan. This included many high-profile property disputes, including the Pataudi estate.

This isn’t the only issue faced by the Pataudi estate. Another issue is the inheritance dispute. While the 25-year old ruling related to the legal heirs of Nawab Hamidullah Khan was in favour of Saif’s grandmother, Sajida Sultan, many other claimants have filed petitions seeking division of the property according to Muslim Personal Law. Owing to the ongoing issue, the court will re-examine the initial verdict in favour of the Saif family.

This development could significantly alter the inheritance structure of the Pataudi royal family and impact property valued at ₹15,000 crore, belonging to the Bhopal royals.