Hyderabad Government Moves to Tighten Property Succession Regulations
In response to ongoing issues related to legal heirs abandoning their parents after acquiring property through dubious means, the Telangana state government is contemplating stricter regulations regarding property succession. Sources indicate that the government is considering the introduction of mandatory witness certification during the property transfer process.
The Telangana Cabinet is set to review and approve amendments to the Telangana Record of Rights Bill (Draft), 2024, before presenting it to the Legislative Assembly on December 16. Among the proposed changes is the renaming of the integrated land records management system.
Currently, property transfers can occur based on an application supported by affidavits, along with pattadar passbook-cum-title deeds. However, there have been alarming instances of affidavits being misused to facilitate unauthorized transfers, creating significant challenges in reversing such transactions. This process has proven to be not only difficult but also time-consuming.
To combat these issues, the government plans to mandate witness inquest reports during property succession proceedings. These reports must be furnished by two to three individuals who are knowledgeable about the property owner’s family circumstances. In situations involving succession through a gift deed or following the owner’s death, submission of these witness reports would become an integral part of the required documentation.
Succession Application Process
Currently, applicants seeking succession certificates must log into the Dharani land records platform, enter details regarding the successors and the property in question, and upload necessary supporting documents. These documents include the deceased owner’s death certificate and a joint agreement among legal heirs.
The new measures aim to ensure a more transparent and accountable property succession process, ultimately protecting the rights of property owners and their families.
