Pataudi Family’s ₹15,000 Crore Property Under Threat

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Pataudi family’s ancestral properties worth ₹15,000 crore face legal hurdles.
2. The MP High Court lifted the stay on the properties.
3. These assets may now fall under the Enemy Property Act, 1968.
4. The court granted 30 days for the Pataudi family to present their side.
5. The status of their response remains unclear as of January 2025.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Court Lifts Stay on Ancestral Properties

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently lifted the stay on ₹15,000 crore worth of properties owned by the Pataudi family. These include iconic properties such as Flag House and Ahmedabad Palace in Bhopal. On December 13, 2024, the court directed the family to appear before the appellate authority within 30 days.

Understanding the Enemy Property Act, 1968

This legislation allows the Central Government to claim properties owned by individuals who migrated to Pakistan after India’s Partition in 1947. The Pataudi family’s claims to these properties face challenges under this law.

Background of the Case

The conflict began when the Mumbai Enemy Property Custodian Office declared certain lands as government-owned in 2015. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s mother, Sajida Sultan, inherited these assets but her sister’s migration complicated ownership rights. Saif Ali Khan and his siblings inherited these properties, but legal battles ensued over claims by the government under the Enemy Property Act.

Unclear Current Status

While the High Court instructed the family to present its case, the administration awaits clarity before taking any action. Speculations rise as the family’s silence keeps the situation ambiguous.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• The MP High Court lifted the stay on the Pataudi family’s ₹15,000 crore properties.
• These assets risk acquisition under the Enemy Property Act.
• The next legal moves by both parties remain critical to the outcome.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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