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Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Fresh trouble for Saif Ali Khan: How the Nawab of Pataudi also inherited Nawab of Bhopal's properties, what court has said about it
Actor Saif Ali Khan recently faced a legal setback, after the Madhya Pradesh High Court on June 30 set aside a trial court order that had made him, his sisters and mother the sole legal heirs of the Nawab of Bhopal. While Saif and his kin have not yet lost all rights over these properties, their legal fight is now harder. Importantly, this case is separate from the Enemy Properties case which Saif is also fighting over these properties. Saif Ali Khan is also the Nawab of Pataudi. What is this case, what does Saif stand to lose, and how did the Nawab of Pataudi inherit the Nawab of Bhopal's properties in the first place? We explain. What is this case? Saif Ali Khan inherited the Bhopal properties from his father's mother, Sajida Begum. Sajida's father, Hamidullah Khan, was the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal, holding the title till his death in 1960. His heir apparent had been his eldest daughter Abida Begum, but she migrated to Pakistan in 1950. Abida's younger sister Sajida then inherited the title, along with properties estimated to be worth over Rs 15,000 crore. Sajida Begum was married to Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the Nawab of Pataudi. Iftikhar and Sajida's son was Mansoor Ali Khan 'Tiger Pataudi', the famous cricketer who married actor Sharmila Tagore. The couple's children are Saif, Soha, and Saba Ali Khan. The current case was filed 25 years ago by other family members of Hamidullah Khan, including his brother Obaidullah Khan and the third daughter Rabia Begum, who wanted a share of the Nawab's personal properties. They are seeking partition and succession of the Nawab's private properties as per Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937, and first moved a trial court in this regard in 1999. A year later, they approached the Jabalpur bench of the Madhya Pradesh HC against the trial court's order. The appellant heirs contended that the trial court erroneously assumed that the private properties of the Nawab are part of the throne and will thus automatically pass on to the successor to the throne. The HC has now set aside the 1999 order and sent the matter back, directing that 'the trial Court shall make all possible efforts to conclude and decide it expeditiously, preferably within a period of one year.' This involves some prime real estate in and near Bhopal, including the Flag Staff House, where Saif spent his childhood, the luxury hotel Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Dar-Us-Salam, Bungalow of Habibi, Ahmedabad Palace, and Kohefiza Property. After Abida Begum, the Nawab's heir apparent, went to Pakistan, these were declared 'enemy property'. Enemy property refers to the assets left behind in India by individuals who migrated to 'enemy nations'. Following the wars between India and Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, and the Sino-Indian War in 1962, the Indian government assumed control of properties and businesses owned by those who adopted the nationality of Pakistan or China. These properties were vested with the Custodian of Enemy Property for India. In January, the Madhya Pradesh High Court asked Saif Ali Khan to approach the appellate authority against the government's 'enemy property' order. It is not clear whether Saif, who was then recuperating from a knife attack by an intruder inside his home, moved the tribunal by January 12. Nawab Hamidullah Khan was the first man to rule Bhopal in five generations, only to be succeeded by his daughter again. Bhopal has had an interesting history of women Nawabs since 1819, when Begum Qudsia prevailed upon the British to allow daughters to inherit the throne. After Qudsia came the Begums Sikandar, Shahjahan, and Sultan Jahan. Begum Sultan Jahan, Hamidullah Khan's mother, was the first chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. Abida Begum's son, Shaharyar Khan, eventually became Pakistan's foreign secretary. He has authored a book called The Begums of Bhopal.
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Celina Jaitly Says Her Father Vikram Kumar Was "Critically Wounded" During The 1971 War: "He Lost Complete Hearing"
New Delhi: Actress Celina Jaitly opened up about the emotional toll the current India-Pakistan situation is taking on her. Celina is the daughter of late Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly and granddaughter of late Colonel Eric Francis of the Rajputana Rifles. Reacting to recent developments, she told News18, "Hearing that Army Public School in Udhampur, a place full of my childhood memories, was attacked this weekend moved me to tears. For us, this isn't just news. It's personal, and the pain runs deep." A few days ago, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that Pakistan had attacked schools and medical facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura and Udhampur. The sacrifices of soldiers at the border have reminded Celina of her father's bravery during the 1971 war. "He was just 21 when he fought in the 1971 war. He was critically wounded during the Battle of Bhaduria, sustaining severe bullet and shrapnel injuries. Despite lifelong wounds, he continued to serve the nation with unmatched pride and honour, eventually commanding the prestigious 16 Kumaon Regiment. He was awarded two Wound Medals and the Sena Medal for his bravery," she said. Celina, who was born in the 1980s, said her upbringing was shaped by her father and grandfather's military service. "I was born in the 1980s, but as the daughter and granddaughter of frontline infantrymen, I grew up knowing that every goodbye could be the last. I saw the toll that life in uniform took on my father and grandfather - physically, emotionally, and mentally. My father lost complete hearing in one ear after an IED explosion at the age of 41, yet his loyalty to the nation never faltered. Despite hardships, we were raised with the strength and resilience of a soldier's family." She also recently shared an old photograph on social media featuring her grandfather with General Ayub Khan, the second President of Pakistan. Recalling that post, she said, "My grandfather was a highly decorated officer, who fought valiantly in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 1965 Indo-Pak War. In my family, respect for the armed forces was not something taught through words; it was lived every single day." Celina also revealed her own aspirations of joining the armed forces. "I was preparing for the Combined Defence Services Examination and AFMC even while pursuing modelling. When I won Miss India, my father and I still hoped I would eventually join the armed forces. Many women in my family have proudly served, including my aunt, who was a Navy doctor," she shared. She added, "My desire to wear the uniform and serve remains one of my greatest unfulfilled dreams."
News18
12-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Celina Jaitly Says Her Late Colonel Dad Was ‘Critically Wounded' In 1971
Reported By : Titas Chowdhury Last Updated: May 12, 2025, 09:09 IST Celina Jaitly was born to Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly, who fought in the Battle of Bhaduria. Celina Jaitly is an army kid and a proud one at that. She's the daughter of late Colonel Vikram Kumar Jaitly and granddaughter of late Colonel Eric Francis of the Rajputana Rifles. As India-Pakistan tensions have and continue to grow, Celina has been taking to social media, voicing her stance on the current situation. Speaking to News18 Showsha exclusively from Austria, she says that she has been having sleepless nights. 'Hearing that Army Public School in Udhampur, a place full of my childhood memories, was attacked this weekend moved me to tears. For us, this isn't just news. It's personal, and the pain runs deep," she tells us. A few days ago, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that Pakistan attacked schools and medical facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura and Udhampur. And the sacrifices of our brave soldiers stationed in border areas is reminding Celina of her father, who fought the Battle of Bhaduria in 1971. Recalling his physical injuries, she says, 'He was just 21 when he fought in the 1971 war. He was critically wounded during the Battle of Bhaduria, sustaining severe bullet and shrapnel injuries. Despite lifelong wounds, he continued to serve the nation with unmatched pride and honour, eventually commanding the prestigious 16 Kumaon Regiment. He was awarded two Wound Medals and the Sena Medal for his bravery." Celine further adds, 'I was born in the 1980s, but as the daughter and granddaughter of frontline infantrymen, I grew up knowing that every goodbye could be the last. I saw the toll that life in uniform took on my father and grandfather – physically, emotionally, and mentally. My father lost complete hearing in one ear after an IED explosion at the age of 41, yet his loyalty to the nation never faltered. Despite hardships, we were raised with the strength and resilience of a soldier's family." Recently, Celina took to social media and shared an old photograph featuring her grandfather and General Ayub Khan, the second President of Pakistan. He referred to them as 'brothers in arms' but that the latter's Operation Gibraltar against India turned them into 'adversaries'. 'My grandfather was a highly decorated officer, who fought valiantly in the 1962 Sino-Indian War and the 1965 Indo-Pak War. In my family, respect for the armed forces was not something taught through words; it was lived every single day," she remarks. As for herself, she always harboured the dream of joining the forces but adds that her 'desire to wear the uniform and serve' remains one of her 'greatest unfulfilled dreams'. 'I was preparing for the Combined Defence Services Examination and AFMC even while pursuing modelling. When I won Miss India, my father and I still hoped I would eventually join the armed forces. Many women in my family have proudly served, including my aunt, who was a Navy doctor," Celina shares. News movies Celina Jaitly Says Her Late Colonel Dad Was 'Critically Wounded' In 1971: 'He Lost Hearing At 41' | Exclusive
Time of India
06-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Victoria in black, trenches in S Kol: Old-timers revisit air-raid siren days
1 2 3 Kolkata: On the eve of the drill planned for war preparedness across the country, Kolkata's elderly residents shared vivid memories of air-raid sirens during three major conflicts — World War II, the 1962 Sino-Indian War , and the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War . These piercing alarms, which once echoed through the night, have now faded into Nath Nandan, 95, recalled Dec 5, 1943, when Japanese aircraft bombed Kolkata port, resulting in 42 casualties. "I clearly remember my mother leading all women and children in the household to a safer shelter at the ground floor of a three-storied building adjacent to my home once the siren sounded," he recounted. He was 13 at the time. The British authorities had painted Victoria Memorial black and covered Tala tank with grass to disguise them from aerial view. Helium-filled balloons were positioned near significant structures, including Howrah Bridge, as a defensive strategy following the 1942 Smaran Paul, 85, shared an unusual incident from the early 1960s during the Chinese aggression. "I was returning from my maternal uncle's house to my Charu Market home with my mom riding a bus on route number 2B. As the air-raid siren was sounded, the double-decker bus driver stopped the bus in the middle of the road, jumped out and scooted," recounted the retired Rabi Chatterjee remembered the Sino-Indian War period at his Harish Mukherjee Road residence. During alerts, people sought shelter, while at night, households and street lights were darkened. He remembers the trenches at Harish Park and Kedar Bose Road where men took refuge during Saha, 83, from Doctor Lane, described the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War: "During the time there were no black-out though we got very scared once the emergency siren started till the all-clear siren with a different tone rang." He and his family would take shelter beneath their century-old house's staircase. Post Sino-Indian War, authorities tested sirens daily at 8 am. In 1969, Bengal Governor Dharma Vira changed this to 9 am to avoid disturbing residents. This practice continued until the late 1980s before gradually ceasing across Kolkata.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Spring migration from U'khand hills disrupted as avalanches, landslides cut off vital routes
Pithoragarh: Avalanches and landslides have disrupted the seasonal migration of residents from 14 villages in Uttarakhand's Malla Johar valley , blocking roads and trails that connect their winter homes in the lower valleys to their summer villages in the high mountains. The transhumant communities were unable to return home in April as planned, causing economic distress and threatening the short agricultural season. Villagers from Milam, Burfu, Relkot, Ganghar, Lwa, Bugdiyar, Panchu, Martoli, Laspa, Bilju, Mapa, Lilam and Kailanch, who traditionally migrate every spring with their livestock to grow cash crops such as mustard, potatoes and herbs, remained stranded. Devendra Singh, one of the villagers waiting to return, said, "We are very late this time." Sriram Singh, president of Malla Joshar Vikas Samiti, said the delay could result in substantial crop losses. "Each family earns about 1 lakh from farming during the six-month period they spend in their villages," he said. "If we do not reach in time, this income will be lost." Munsyari SDM Khusbu Pande said the road is currently open till Railkot and that ground staff will begin clearing operations as soon as the weather improves. "The road will be cleared within a week," she added. Public works department, which is responsible for maintaining the bridle paths, had deployed 20 labourers to the region, but they returned to Munsyari due to inclement weather, Pande said. Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation, which has constructed new roads in the area, has inadvertently damaged some of the old bridle paths that villagers previously used for their annual migration. The Shauka Bhotiya communities of Malla Johar have followed this transhumant lifestyle for centuries, traditionally migrating with their flocks between high-altitude villages in summer and lower valleys in winter. Their way of life was once tied closely to cross-border trade with Tibet, which ended abruptly after the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Since then, most families have shifted focus to agriculture, livestock rearing and herb collection for income. Despite these changes, a small number still practise the seasonal migration — mainly for farming during the brief alpine growing season. Their numbers have declined drastically, from 1,475 households in 1961 to only a few dozen today.
