A local court in Bhopal has delivered a significant verdict, dismissing a civil suit that challenged the ownership of a valuable 16.62-acre land parcel historically linked to the erstwhile Bhopal royal family. The court ruled decisively in favour of the respondents, including actor Saif Ali Khan, his mother Sharmila Tagore, sister Soha Ali Khan, and other legal heirs.
The Core of the Land Dispute
The legal battle centered around prime land located in the Nayapura area of Huzur tehsil in Bhopal. Three residents had filed the suit, asserting their ownership rights. Their claim was based on the argument that the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal, Hamidullah Khan, had gifted the property to their father, the late Vakil Ahmed, way back in 1936. They presented this alleged 'inayat' or gift as a reward for services rendered by him and his ancestors during the princely era.
To substantiate their claim, the plaintiffs pointed to entries in old revenue records. They also argued that they had been in continuous possession of the land, which included constructing rooms, engaging caretakers, and even allotting small portions to others for residence and upkeep.
Court's Grounds for Dismissal
However, in its order passed last week, the court rejected these claims on multiple grounds. The judicial scrutiny found the plaintiffs' evidence lacking. Crucially, the court held that the plaintiffs failed to conclusively prove the alleged gift from Nawab Hamidullah Khan. The evidence presented was not deemed sufficient to establish the transfer of ownership.
Furthermore, the court examined historical documents and found a critical piece of evidence. The disputed land was identified as forming part of the personal property of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan's father. This ownership was explicitly mentioned in the Bhopal merger agreement signed with the Government of India in 1949, a key document from the post-independence integration of princely states.
History of the Property and Final Ruling
Court records revealed the subsequent journey of the land. Following a partition within the royal family, a significant portion of the property—12.62 acres—was sold to a builder in 1998 by Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and his family. This transaction occurred before the filing of the present civil suit, which further complicated the plaintiffs' case.
By dismissing the suit, the Bhopal court has effectively reaffirmed the ownership rights of the Pataudi family heirs over this substantial piece of land. The judgment brings legal closure to a dispute over property with deep historical roots, linking the legacy of the Bhopal royalty to one of Bollywood's most prominent families.
