Property Tax Issues Surrounding Jayalalithaa’s Property in Hyderabad

A house belonging to J. Jayalalithaa has been sealed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) over pending property tax dues that have remained unpaid since 2017. The total property tax dues accumulated to ₹1.6 crore before waivers, but after applying the waivers, the total payable amount was reduced to approximately ₹83 lakh.

The property, categorized as ‘Commercial’, is currently rented by Vijay Mallya. It remains registered under Jayalalithaa’s name in GHMC records, despite her passing in December 2016. In May 2020, the Madras High Court declared her nephew and niece as her legal heirs, allowing them to manage her estate.

The GHMC has issued a ‘Red Notice’ due to the non-payment of dues, which currently stand at ₹82.91 lakh after rebates under the One-Time Settlement scheme. This scheme offers a 90% waiver on accumulated interest for property tax arrears, aimed at encouraging timely payments.

Despite repeated efforts to recover the outstanding dues, no payments have been made. The GHMC has stated that the property will remain under its custody until the outstanding dues are cleared, highlighting the ongoing challenges in resolving this property tax dispute.

Observers note that the situation reflects broader issues regarding property tax management and enforcement in Hyderabad, particularly concerning high-profile estates. The legal heirs of Jayalalithaa are expected to address the outstanding dues, but details remain unconfirmed.