In absence of legal heir, former CM Jaya’s fleet of vehicles grounded

It is not just the spacious bungalow in Poes Garden that former chief minister J Jayalalithaa left behind but also “moving properties” registered in the name of the AIADMK supremo, which are now grounded.

A fleet of cars, SUVs and utility vehicles can turn into rusted machines if no legal heir comes forward to claim the vehicles, many of which were in use when Jayalalithaa was alive.

Among the fleet now resting at her residence are two Toyota Prado SUVs, a Tempo Traveller, a Tempo Trax, a Mahindra Jeep, a Mahindra Bolero, a Swaraj Mazda Maxi, a 1990 Contessa and an Ambassador of 1980 make.

Since the former chief minister is not known to have left behind an official will, and nobody has come forward to claim her property, the vehicles will stay grounded.

A traffic police personnel, who spots any of the cars owned by Jayalalithaa on the roads, can ask for papers and the vehicle can be impounded.

A source at RTO said as per the Motor Vehicles Act, the legal successor/heir has to intimate the RTO in case of death of the vehicle owner and get the transfer of registration done under his or her name within three months. The source added that so far, no legal heir of Jayalalithaa had come forward, seeking transfer of ownership of the vehicles.

Jayalalithaa passed away on December 5, 2016. Her nephew Deepak Jayakumar has claimed that he and his sister Deepa are the only legal heirs to the former CM’s property. Deepak recently indicated that he may move court to seek possession of Jayalalithaa’s properties that include the Poes Garden residence, Kodanad estate, Grape orchard near Hyderabad and gold and diamond jewellery, among others.