Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is embroiled in a legal dispute over his royal inheritance, valued at Rs 15,000 crore, following a recent decision by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The court overturned a previous trial court ruling that had recognized Khan and his immediate family as the sole heirs to several properties in and around Bhopal. These properties include the Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, now a luxury hotel, and various other palaces and bungalows across the state. The High Court has ordered a re-examination of the case, requiring Khan to defend his claim to these assets.

The roots of this legal battle trace back to Khan’s lineage. He is the great-grandson of Hamidullah Khan, the last Nawab of Bhopal. After Hamidullah’s passing, his daughter Sajida Sultan, Khan’s grandmother, inherited his properties. This inheritance was officially acknowledged by the Indian government in 1962. Sajida Sultan later married Iftikhar Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi, passing the legacy down to her son Mansoor Ali Khan and subsequently to Saif Ali Khan.

However, other descendants of Hamidullah Khan have contested this succession, arguing for a division of wealth according to Muslim Personal Law. The High Court’s recent decision to revisit the succession question could result in a significant reduction of Khan’s inheritance if the trial court reverses its original ruling.

Compounding these challenges is the application of the Enemy Property Act of 1968. In 2014, the government issued a notice stating that these properties could be seized under this act because Hamidullah Khan’s eldest daughter migrated to Pakistan after Partition, thus classifying her as an ‘enemy’. Although Saif Ali Khan initially secured a temporary stay against this claim, a subsequent court decision lifted it, leaving him with limited time to appeal.

This legal turmoil comes amid personal challenges for Khan, who was recovering from an injury sustained during a home invasion earlier this year. As he navigates these complex legal proceedings, the outcome will significantly impact his family’s historical legacy and financial future.