Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The survey to update the records of enemy properties linked to actor Saif Ali Khan continued in Bhopal. It is being conducted by the Directorate of Enemy Property in New Delhi, which serves as the head Oofice of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI).
The Madhya Pradesh High Court, on December 13, 2024, had directed Saif Ali Khan to approach the Directorate of Enemy Property within 30 days to challenge an order by the Centre, which had declared the Pataudi family's historic properties as "enemy property."
Sources confirmed that Saif Ali Khan has filed an appeal with the Directorate, after initially requesting more time to do so.
The properties in question, worth an estimated Rs 15,000 crore, belong to the erstwhile rulers of Bhopal and were inherited by Saif Ali Khan and his family.
These properties remain embroiled in a legal dispute, stemming from a February 24,2015 order issued by the Custodian of Enemy Property, which classified the Bhopal Nawab’s properties as enemy property under the provisions of the Enemy Property Act.
Saif Ali Khan and his mother, renowned actress Sharmila Tagore (Pataudi), had previously challenged this order. Advocate Jagdish Chhavani, who has long handled matters related to Saif Ali Khan’s properties, said, “After the High Court vacated the stay and instructed him to approach the Directorate, the government has now become active in updating the information about these properties.”
However, Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh said, “The enemy property survey in Bhopal was completed in 2010.”
