Sharmila Tagore to firefight Rubaat issue

BHOPAL: Sharmila Tagore, her daughter Saba Sultan and their legal advisor are arriving in the city on March 16 to settle prickly issues, sources said. Growing politicking over the 'Rubaat' issue and the resignation of auqaf-e-shahi (royal wakf properties) secretary have prompted the Pataudi family to come to the city with the legal advisor, sources assert. The Pataudi family is likely to stay put in the city till all important matters are sorted out.
Black flags to actor Saif Ali Khan by protestors and the resignation of Anwar Mohammed Khan, secretary of the auqaf-e-shahi, last week appear to have heightened sense of urgency to deal fast with issues.
By bringing a legal advisor, considered an authority on Muslim personal law, observers feel the family is taking no chance before the important meeting of members of the auqaf-e-shahi to decide on a new secretary.
"Forces are at work to extract a political mileage from the moves. Some of the committee members are also stakeholders," said a long-time associate of the late Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, seeking anonymity. "Replacement of a secretary is an easy task, but looking at the issues being highlighted against a few in the vernacular media, it is obvious that some people are trying to influence the opinion," he added.
Sources claimed that Faiz Bin Jung, Pataudi's nephew, may be next secretary of the auqaf-e-shahi. Begum Sharmila could announce his name during her next visit to the city
Observers point out that issues in Bhopal are no less important than those in Saudi Arabia for the erstwhile royal family. Also, legal cases of auqaf-e-shahi in courts are in final stages and any laxity may cost the royal family dear.