A house belonging to the late J. Jayalalithaa has been sealed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) due to pending property tax dues amounting to ₹82.91 lakh. These dues have been outstanding since 2017, accumulating to a staggering ₹1.6 crore before any waivers were applied.
The property, categorized as ‘Commercial’, has been rented by businessman Vijay Mallya, yet it remains officially registered under Jayalalithaa’s name in GHMC records. Despite the GHMC’s efforts to recover the dues, no payments have been made, prompting the issuance of a ‘Red Notice’ for non-payment.
After applying the One-Time Settlement scheme, which offers a 90% waiver on accumulated interest for property tax arrears, the total payable amount was reduced to approximately ₹83 lakh. However, even with these waivers, the outstanding dues still stand at ₹82.91 lakh.
The heirs of Jayalalithaa were declared her legal heirs in May 2020, following a ruling by the Madras High Court, which noted that she passed away without a will. This ruling has significant implications for the management of her estate, including the handling of outstanding tax obligations.
The GHMC has made it clear that the property will remain under its custody until the outstanding dues are cleared. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by property owners in managing tax liabilities, especially when properties are tied to high-profile individuals.
As the GHMC continues to enforce tax compliance, observers are keenly watching how the heirs of Jayalalithaa will respond to this financial obligation. Will they settle the dues to reclaim the property, or will further legal battles ensue? Details remain unconfirmed.
