MUMBAI: A real estate transaction involving Suhana Khan, daughter of Shah Rukh Khan, has come under scrutiny in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. On Thursday, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab raised concerns regarding the legality of the sale. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed in a written response that although a registered agreement exists between the sellers and Suhana, the final sale is incomplete pending government approvals.
Parab inquired whether a plot in Thal village, Alibaug, previously assigned to Narayan Vishwanath Khote for agricultural purposes, was sold to Suhana without the necessary clearance from the district collector. The land, allocated in the late 1960s, has a clear stipulation prohibiting transfer, mortgage, or sale without prior approval.
Bawankule clarified that an agreement for sale was signed in June 2023 between the Khote heirs and Suhana. However, it wasn’t a registered sale deed because the Khote family has sought transfer permission since 2022, which is still pending. Consequently, since the collector has not approved the request, only an agreement for sale exists, which does not equate to ownership transfer.
The minister emphasized that government records explicitly state the restrictions on land transfer, and without the necessary permission, no formal conveyance can occur. Because the sale has not yet legally transpired, questions regarding further investigation, potential actions against the parties involved, or repossession are not applicable at this stage.
Last year, Suhana’s land purchase garnered attention after reports revealed she acquired agricultural land and paid significant stamp duty. The property, featuring existing structures, was registered through an agreement with the Khote sisters, the land’s heirs. It was also noted that Suhana was designated as an “agriculturist” in the registration documents, a requirement for purchasing agricultural land in Maharashtra.
Officials stated that the matter now hinges on the collector’s pending decision, which will ultimately clarify the transaction’s status.
