Madhya Pradesh HC Allows Seizure of ₹15,000 Crore “Enemy Properties” Linked to Pataudi Dynasty
In a landmark judgement, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has permitted the Central Government to seize properties worth ₹15,000 crore, belonging to the Pataudi dynasty, including Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan. These properties, classified as “enemy properties,” have been under scrutiny for their legal status under Indian law.
What Are Enemy Properties?
Enemy properties refer to assets left behind in India by individuals or entities who migrated to enemy nations, primarily Pakistan or China, after wars with those countries. Under the Enemy Property Act of 1968, such properties are vested in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India. In 2017, the Act was amended, granting the government extensive powers to take over these properties without allowing legal heirs to reclaim them.
The Case Involving Pataudi Dynasty
The properties in question are reportedly part of the inheritance linked to the late Nawab of Bhopal, who allegedly transferred them to Pakistan during the partition. With subsequent migration of certain family members to Pakistan, these assets were classified as enemy properties under Indian law.
Impact on Saif Ali Khan and Family
Saif Ali Khan, his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan, and their family stand to lose control over these properties. The portfolio includes ancestral lands, palatial estates, and other high-value assets primarily located in Bhopal. The family’s legal team is expected to explore further remedies, although the HC ruling significantly limits their claims.
Government Stance
The government has emphasized the need to repurpose such properties for public benefit. Officials assert that enemy properties are national assets, and their rightful ownership lies with the state. The seizure aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to identify and monetize enemy properties across the country.
This decision marks a significant precedent in the ongoing management of enemy properties and may have implications for other similar cases.
