Section 635 of the GHMC Act, 1955, is not a substantive power-granting provision but a . It ensures that decades of municipal actions, assessments, and rules do not collapse merely because the parent legislation has been updated. For citizens and lawyers, it is a double-edged sword: it provides stability to the municipal framework but also validates older governmental actions that might otherwise be challengeable on technical repeal grounds.
Under strict law, these buildings should be demolished. However, demolition is a complex, expensive, and politically sensitive process. The government realized that if a building is structurally safe and does not obstruct major public roads or drainage, it makes more sense to penalize the owner and regularise the structure rather than tear it down. Section 635 provides the legal framework for this compromise.
Section 635 of the empowers the Municipal Commissioner to demand information regarding property ownership and interests.
: The Commissioner may issue a written notice requiring the owner or occupier of any premises (or portion thereof) to state in writing the nature of their interest in the property. They must also provide the name and address of any other person holding an interest—such as a freeholder, mortgagee, lessee, or tenant—insofar as it is known to them. what is section 635 of ghmc act 1955
When legal notices regarding municipal violations are being prepared. Responsibilities of Property Owners/Occupiers
Over the years, through amendments, the maximum fine has been raised substantially—currently up to plus ₹500 per day for continuing violations. However, for more serious offenses like illegal constructions violating building by-laws, courts and municipal authorities have the discretion to impose higher penalties under related sections read with Section 635.
The GHMC Act, 1955, originally the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, was established following the merger of the Hyderabad and Secunderabad municipal corporations. It was later revised to create the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in 2007. The Act covers a wide range of municipal functions, from property tax collection to urban planning and building regulations. However, its most frequently invoked sections in recent years have been those dealing with illegal constructions, including Sections 452, 636, and notably, Section 635. Section 635 of the GHMC Act, 1955, is
The primary intent of Section 635 is administrative clarity. In complex urban landscapes like Hyderabad, property titles frequently transition via complex deeds, rentals, or mortgage structures. The GHMC utilizes this provision for several key functions:
It helps clarify which parties have interests in a property when disputes arise. Scope and Legal Application
For legal practitioners, municipal officials, and citizens engaged in property disputes, taxation, or regulatory compliance, understanding Section 635 is crucial, as it frequently emerges in litigation concerning the validity of old municipal rules, assessments, and proceedings. Under strict law, these buildings should be demolished
Section 635 of the GHMC Act, 1955, explicitly grants the . The official text of the provision is as follows:
To accurately levy property tax, the GHMC needs to know the owner. Section 635 allows them to clarify ownership if records are outdated or conflicting.
This paper examines Section 635 of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955 (hereafter referred to as the GHMC Act, 1955), a provision that has often been a subject of ambiguity and legal contention. While the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) primarily operates under the GHMC Act, 1955 (as amended), Section 635 functions as a critical “saving” or “validation” clause. This paper argues that Section 635 was designed to protect the validity of actions, notifications, and bylaws issued under preceding municipal legislations for the Hyderabad region, thereby ensuring legal continuity and preventing administrative paralysis following the enactment of the unified 1955 Act.
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