What Is Enemy Property Act? Why Saif Ali Khan May Lose Rs 15,000 Crore Properties
Saif inherited properties including Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, Bungalow of Habibi, Ahmedabad Palace and Flag Staff House.
The future of Rs 15,000 crore properties inherited by actor Saif Ali Khan from Bhopal's erstwhile rulers is uncertain over filing an appeal against an order of the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property, lawyers have said.
The properties may come under the Centre's control if an appeal is not filed by Bhopal Nawab's successors against the order of the Office of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India. On February 24, 2015, the Custodian of Enemy Property for India termed the property of Bhopal Nawab as "Enemy Property". This was challenged by Saif's mother and veteran Sharmila Tagore.
The authority gave its ruling on the ground that Nawab Muhammad Hamidullah Khan's eldest daughter Abida Sultan Begum migrated to Pakistan following the Partition. Therefore, all such properties that she was supposed to succeed are now enemy properties and vested in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India.
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Hamidullah Khan died in 1960, following which India recognised Sajida Sultan Begum "as such ruler, is the sole successor to all private properties, movable and immovable, held by Nawab Hamidullah. And the GoI have no objection to such properties being transferred to Sajida Sultan Begum," an expert told PTI.
Sajida Sultan Begum, the second daughter of Nawab Hamidullah, became the owner of all such properties. Her son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (Tiger Pataudi) became the successor and now Saif Ali Khan is the owner of these properties.
Saif inherited properties including Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, Bungalow of Habibi, Ahmedabad Palace and Flag Staff House.
What is Enemy Property?
Enemy property refers to the assets left behind in India by individuals who migrated to countries designated as “enemy nations” during times of conflict.
The Indian government assumed control of properties and businesses owned by people who adopted the nationality of Pakistan or China after wars in 1965 and 1971, Indian Express reported.
The Enemy Property Disposal Committee, comprising senior government officials, provides recommendations on whether to sell, transfer, or maintain the properties.
Vacant properties can be auctioned to the highest bidder, while occupied properties may be offered to existing occupants at a value determined by the committee.
What Is Enemy Property Act?
Under the act, properties that are declared as enemy assets remain permanently vested with the Custodian of Enemy Property, with no room for inheritance or transfer. The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2017, reinforced the law.
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