Days after attack, more trouble for Saif Ali Khan, his ancestral property worth Rs 15000 crore could be...

Saif Ali Khan, the current patriarch of the Pataudi family, recently faced a terrifying ordeal when he was stabbed multiple times during a burglary attempt at his Bandra residence on January 16. The brave actor intervened to protect his loved ones and suffered critical injuries, requiring immediate medical attention at Lilavati Hospital. Fortunately, he recovered and returned home to a warm welcome from fans and well-wishers. Just as life was returning to normal, another challenge emerged in the form of a long-standing property dispute, threatening to disrupt the family's assets and legacy.

As per the latest report, Saif’s ancestral properties, valued at a staggering Rs 15,000 crore, mostly located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, may soon be taken over by the Central government. This development came after a court vacated a stay order, potentially transferring ownership of these assets from his family to the government.

Saif is the grandson of Sajida Sultan, who inherited a share of the family's properties. To understand the chronology, Hamidullah Khan, the last Nawab of Bhopal, had three daughters, and their lives took different paths. His eldest daughter, Abida Sultan, migrated to Pakistan in 1950, while his second daughter, Sajida Sultan, stayed in India and married Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, becoming the rightful heir to the family's properties. 

However, the government has taken an interest in Abida Sultan's migration, using it as grounds to claim the properties as ‘enemy property’ under the Enemy Property Act, of 1968. This law allows the government to seize properties owned by individuals who migrated to Pakistan or China after the Indo-Pak wars. As a result, Saif's children may not be able to inherit these ancestral properties. 

Meanwhile, The Bhopal collector, Kaushalendra Vikram Singh, is expected to review 72 years' worth of ownership records for properties linked to the Pataudi family. This move could lead to the government taking control of these properties, potentially affecting 1.5 lakh residents who might be considered tenants under state leasing laws. However, according to Sumer Khan, a resident, the Pataudi family can still appeal, as merging these properties under the Enemy Property Act is a complex process.