The municipal office in Thiruvananthapuram is refusing to mutate my land records after I bought the property, what is my remedy under state mutation rules?

Detailed Legal Analysis

Mutation of land records is governed by Kerala Rent Control Act 1963 and is an administrative process to update the revenue records in your name. The Kerala High Court has clarified that mutation does not confer title but is necessary for payment of tax and future transactions.

You must file a mutation application before the tahsildar or municipal authority in Thiruvananthapuram along with the registered deed and tax receipts. A notice is issued to interested parties and objections, if any, are decided after a hearing.

The order of mutation is appealable before the higher revenue authority within the prescribed limitation period. Refusal without a reasoned order can be challenged by a writ petition before the Kerala High Court.

Pending mutation, you remain liable for property tax and cannot claim exemption from civic dues.