LexThe Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952.
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THE HYDERABAD ATIYAT INQUIRIES ACT, 1952
[Text as on 2nd January 2026]
______________
CONTENTS
PREAMBLE.
SECTIONS.
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
General Provisions as to Atiyat grants
3. Continuance of Atiyat grants.
3A. Inquiries as to Atiyat grants.
4. Inquiries to Atiyat grants in jagirs.
5. Consequences of breach of condition of Muntakhab or Vasiqa.
6. Prohibition of alienation or encumbrance and exemption of attachment by
Court.
7. Succession.
Constitution of Atiyat courts, their Jurisdiction and Procedure
8. Classes of Atiyat Courts.
9. Investure of powers.
10. Jurisdiction and procedure of Atiyat Courts.
11. Appeals.
Miscellaneous
12. Decision of Civil Courts to prevail on question of succession, legitimacy,
etc.
13. Finality of decision of the Atiyat Court and of certain other decisions.
13-A. Powers of Atiyat Courts when holding inquiries under this Act.
14. Rules.
15. Repeal.
16. Savings.
SCHEDULE
2 The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 [1952 : Hyd. X
1952 : Hyd. X] The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 3
LIST OF AMENDMENT ACTS
1. Amended by Hyd. 28 of 1956
2. Adapted and modified by the Bombay (Hyderabad area) Adaptat ion of
Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1956.
3. Adapted and modified by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (State and
Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960.
4 The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 [1952 : Hyd. X
1952 : Hyd. X] The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 5
HYDERABAD ACT No. X OF 19521
[THE HYDERABAD ATIYAT INQUIRIES ACT, 1952.]
An Act to amend and consolidate the law regarding Atiyat grants, in respect of
Atiyat inquiries, inquiries as to claims to succession to, or any right,
title or interest in Atiyat grants and matters ancillary thereto.
Preamble
WHEREAS it is expedient to amend and consolidate the law regarding Atiyat
grants, in respect of Atiyat inquiries, inquiries as to claims to succession to, or any
right, title or interest in Atiyat grants and matters ancillary thereto;
It is hereby enacted as follows :—
1. Short title, extent and commencement. — (1) This Act may be called the
2[Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952.]
(2) It extends to the whole of the 3[Hyderabad area of the State of Maharashtra].
(3) It shall come into force, on such date as the Government may, by notification
in the Jarida, appoint in this behalf.
2. Definitions.— (1) In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject
or context,
(a) “Atiyat Court” means a Court or authority competent to make Atiy at
inquiries and inquiries as to claims to succession to, and any right, title or interest
in Atiyat grants and matters ancillary thereto;
4[(b) “Atiyat grants” means,—
(i) in the case of jagirs abolished under the Hyderabad (Abolition of
Jagirs) Regulation s, 1358 Fasli (LXIX of 1358F ) the commutation sums
payable in respect thereof under the Hyderabad Jagirs (Commutation)
Regulation, 1359 Fasli (XXV of 1359F.);
(ii) Inams to which the Hyderabad Abolition of Inams Act, 1954 (VIII
of 1955) is not applicable;
(iii) in the case of inams abolished under the Hyderabad Abolition of
Inams Act, 1954 (VIII of 1955), the compensation payable under that Act;
(iv) cash grants to which the Hyderabad Abolition of Cash Grants Act,
1952 (XXXIII of 1952) is not applicable;
(v) cash grant temporarily continued under the Hyderabad Abolition of
Cash Grants Act, 1952 (XXXIII of 1952);
(vi) in the case of cash grants abolished under the Hyderabad
Abolition of Cash Grants Act, 1952 (XXXIII of 1952) subject to payment of
compensation, the compensation payable in respect thereof;]
1 The Act received the assent of the Rajpramukh on the 3 rd September 1956; assent first published in the
Hyderabad Gazette , extraordinary No. 204, dated the 5 th September 1956. The Act was published in
Gazette, extraordinary No. 21, dated 14th March, 1952.
2 This Act was amended by the Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries (Amendment) Act, 1956 (Hyderabad Act No.
XXVIII
of 1956).
3 Substituted by Bom. (Hyderabad Area) A. O., 1956 and then by Mah. A. O., 1960.
4 The old clause ( b) ( viz., “Atiyat grants” include Inams and cash grants known as Rusums, Youmiahs,
Mamuls, Saliana, Imtiyazi Mahars, Pensions and any other allowances granted by the State for the
performance of certain duties past or present, or as charities without the obligation of any service”) has
been substituted by the present clause by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
Act X of 1952.
Preamble.
Short title, extent
and commencement.
Regulations, 1358.
Fasli LXIX of
1358F.
Act VIII of 1955.
Act VIII of 1955.
XXXIII of 1952.
XXXIII of 1952.
XXXIII of 1952.
6 The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 [1952 : Hyd. X
(c) “Muntakhabs and Vasiqas” means documents issued by competent
authorities as a result of inam or succession inquiries held under the Dastoor
Amal Inams or other Government orders on the subject and issued by way of
continuance or confirmation of Atiyat grants;
(d) “Holding an Atiy at grant” means the enjoyment of the Atiyat grant on
the basis of a Muntakhab, a Vasiqa and order of a competent authority;
(e) “Holder of an Atiyat grant” means a person or institution actually
holding the Atiyat grant;
1[(f) Omitted];
(g) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
(2)Words and expressions used in this Act but not defined therein shall have the
meaning assigned to them in the Hyderabad Land Revenue Act.
General Provisions as to Atiyat grants
2[3. Continuance of Atiyat grants.— All Atiyat grants shall, subject to the
provisions of the Hyderabad Abolition of Jagirs Regulation, 1358 Fasli (LXIX of
1358F), the Hyderabad Abolition of Cash Grants Act, 1952 (XXXIII of 1952) and
the Hyderabad Abolition of Inams Act, 1954 (VIII of 1955) continue to be held by
the holders thereof subject to the conditions laid down in the M untakhabs or
Vasiqas, if any, relating thereto and to the provisions of this Act.
3-A. Inquiries as to Atiyat grants.— (1) In the case of Atiyat grants specified
in sub-clause (i) of clause ( b) of sub-section (1) of section 2, Atiyat inquiries and
inquiries as to any right, title or interest therein shall, notwithstanding anything
contained in the Hyderabad (Abolition of Jagirs) Regulat ion, 1358 Fasli (LXIX of
1358F), be held in Atiyat Courts in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and
in the course of such inquiries, Atiyat Court shall also be competent to inquire into
claims to succession arising in respect of such grants:
Provided that claims to succession arising after the completion of Atiyat
inquiry of any such grant shall not be entertained in any Atiyat Court s and all such
claims shall be filed in and decided by the competent Civil Court.
(2) In the case of Atiyat grants specified in sub-clauses (ii) to (vi) of clause (b)
of sub -section ( 1) of section 2, all Atiyat inquiries, inquiries as to claim to
succession to, or any right, title or interest therein and matters ancillary thereto shall
be held in Atiyat Courts in accordance with the provisions of this Act.]
4. Inquiries to Atiyat grants in jagirs. — Notwithstanding anything
contained in section 3, continuance of Atiyat grants in the erstwhile Jagir areas or
granted by erstwhile Jagirdars shall be subject to inqu iries made for that purpose
and for confirmation in accordance with rules made under this Act.
5. Consequences of breach of conditions of Muntakhab or Vasiqa. — For
the breach of t he conditions contained in any Muntakhab or Vasiqa relating to an
Atiyat grant or for other sufficient cause, the Government after giving an
opportunity to the holder of the Atiyat grant to be heard, may by order resume the
grant or modify the terms and co nditions specified in any Muntakhab or Vasiqa
relating thereto or pass such other orders in respect of the Atiyat grant as
Government may think fit.
1 Clause (f) has been omitted by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
2 The old section 3 ( viz., “All Atiyat grants held immediately before the commencement of this Act shall,
subject to the provisions of the Hyderabad Enfranchised Inams Act, 1952, continue to be held by the
holders thereof and after them by their successors, if any, subject to the conditions la id down in the
Muntakhabs or Vasiqas, if any, relating thereto and to the provisions of this Act.”) has been substituted by
the present sections 3 and 3-A by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
LXIX of 1358F.
All Atiyat grants
shall continue to
be held by the
holders thereof.
LXIX of 1358F.
Atiyat inquiries
be held in Atiyat
Courts.
Continuance of
Atiyat Grant
shall be subject
to inquiries
made.
Consequence of
breach of
conditions
contained in any
Muntakhab or
Vasiqa.
Act XXXIII of 1952.
VIII of 1955.
VIII of 1955.
.
1952 : Hyd. X] The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 7
6. Prohibition of alienation or encumbrance and exemption attachment by
Court.— Atiyat grants shall not be liable to be transferred or encumbered in any
manner or to any extent whatsoever and it shall not be lawful for any Court to attach or
sell any Atiyat grant or any portion or share thereof:
Provided that half the income of the Atiyat grant shall be attachable in execution
of a decree through the Revenue Department.
7. Succession.— Subject to the provisions of this Act, succession to Atiyat grants
shall, after the commencement of this Act, be regulated by the personal law applicable
to the last holder.
Constitution of Atiyat Courts, their Jurisdiction and Procedure
8. Classes of Atiyat Courts. — Notwithstanding the provisions of any law for
the time being in force, there shall be the following classes of Atiyat Courts :—
(a) Atiyat Deputy Collectors;
(b) Atiyat Collectors;
(c) Nazim Atiyat; and
(d) Board of Revenue:
1[Provided that the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette ,
appoint the 2date on which the Court of Nazim Atiyat shall cease to exist and as from
that date (hereinafter referred to as the appointed date) the Courts mentioned in clauses
(a), (b) and (d) shall be the classes of Atiyat Courts.
Explanation.— The Court of Atiyat Deputy Collector includes the Court of
Atiyat Assistant Collector.]
9. Investure of powers. — Government may, by notification in the Jarida, invest
any officer 3[or authority] with the powers of any Atiyat Court mentioned in [clauses
(a), ( b) or ( c)] of section 8, specifying the area within which the powers may be
exercised.
10. Jurisdiction and procedure of Atiyat Courts. — (1) The original
jurisdiction of Atiyat Courts shall be regulated in the manner specified in the Schedule
and the procedure thereof including the time within which and the manner in which
appeals may be filed against their decisions under this Act shall be such as may be
prescribed.
4[(2) All original cases pending in the Court of Nazim Atiyat on the appointed
date shall be transferred to the Court of the concerned Atiyat Collector, and all original
cases pending on the date in the Court of Atiyat Collector which as from that date fall
within the jurisdiction of the Atiyat Deputy Collector shall be transferred to the Court
of the concerned Atiyat Deputy Collector, and on such transfer, the Atiyat Collector or
the Atiyat Deputy Collector, as the case may be, shall dispose of such cases as if they
had been filed in his own Court. If the Atiyat grant involved in any such case falls
within the jurisdiction of the Court of more than one Atiyat Collector or Atiyat Deputy
Collector, as the case may be, the Board of Revenue shall determine the Court of the
Atiyat Collector or Deputy Collector to which such case shall be transferred. The order
1 Proviso to this section has been inserted by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
2 The Government of Bombay has appointed the first day of October 1957 as the date on which the Court of
Nazim Atiyat shall cease to exist, vide Government of Bombay, Revenue Department Notification No.
HAA. 1057/26395-L, dated 28-9-1957, published in the Bombay Government Gazette , dated 3 rd October
1957, Part IV-B, page 1932.
3 In this section the words “or authority” have been inserted by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
4 Sub-section (2) has been inserted by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
Atiyat Grants
shall not be liable
to be transferred
or encumbered.
Succession to
Atiyat Grant shall
be regulated by
the personal law.
Atiyat Court.
Original Cases
pending in the
Court of Nizam
Atiyat to be
transferred to
Atiyat Collector.
8 The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 [1952 : Hyd. X
of the Board of Revenue in this behalf s hall be final and no appeal or revision shall lie
therefrom.]
1[11. Appeals.— (1) From the original decision of—
(a) an Atiyat Deputy Collector, an appeal shall lie to the Atiyat Collector;
(b) an Atiyat Collector, an appeal shall lie to the Nazim Atiyat before the
appointed date, and as from that date to the Board of Revenue;
(c) the Nazim Atiyat, an appeal shall lie to the Board of Revenue.
(2) Before the date of the publication of the Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries
(Amendment) Act, 1956, in the Official Gazette , from the appellate decision of an
Atiyat Collector, an appeal shall lie to the Nazim Atiyat and from an appellate decision
of the Nazim Atiyat to the Board of Revenue whose decision shall be final.
(3) As from the date referred to in sub -section (2), the appellate decision of an
Atiyat Collector, whether passed before or after that dat e, shall be final and no further
appeal or revision shall lie therefrom:
Provided that, nothing in this sub-section shall be so construed as to affect in any
way any appeal pending on that date in the Court of the Nazim Atiyat or the Board of
Revenue, and such appeal shall be continued and disposed of, and the decision passed
therein shall be final and no further appeal or revision shall lie therefrom.
(4) All appeal cases pending in the Court of the Nazim Atiyat on the appointed
date, shall be transferred to the Board of Revenue and on such transfer the Board of
Revenue shall dispose of such cases as if they had been filed in the Board of Revenue.
The decision of the Board of Revenue shall be final and no appeal or revision shall lie
therefrom.]
Miscellaneous
12. Decision of Civil Courts to prevail on questions of succession, legitimacy,
etc.— (1) In so far as question of succession, legitimacy, divorce or other questions of
personal law are concerned, the final decision of a Civil Court shall be given effect to
by the Atiyat Court established under this Act on the decision being brought to its
notice by the party concerned or otherwise irrespective of whether the decision of the
Atiyat Court was given before or after the decision of the Civil Court.
2[(2) If in the course of any inquiry as to claims to succession, any di spute arises
involving questions of succession, legitimacy, divorce or other questions of personal
law, the Atiyat Court shall direct the parties to get the dispute decided in the competent
Civil Court. On the production of the final decision of Civil Cour t, the Atiyat Court
shall give effect to such decision.]
13. Finality of decision of the Atiyat Court and of certain other decisions. —
(1) Except as provided in this Act, the decision of an Atiyat Court shall be final and
shall not be questioned in any Court of law.
(2) The orders passed in cases relating to Atiyat grants including jagirs on or after
the 18 th September, 1948 and before the commencement of this Act by the Military
Governor, the Chief Civil Administrator or the Chief Minister of Hyderabad or by the
Revenue Minister by virtue of powers given or purporting to be given to him by the
Chief Minister shall be deemed to be the final orders validly passed by a competent
authority under the law in force at the time when the order has passed and shall not be
questioned in any court of law.
1 This section has been substituted for the old section by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
2 Sub-section (2) has been inserted by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
Appeal from
Atiyat Dy.
Collector to the
Atiyat
Collector.
Atiyat Collector
to Nazim Atiyat
and to the Board
of Revenue.
Decision of the
Board of
Revenue final.
Pending Cases in
the Court of the
Nazim Atiyat
shall be
transferred to the
Board of,
Revenue. Boards
decision final.
On personal law-
matters decision
of the Civil
Court shall be
given effect.
reference to
Civil Court.
decision of the
Atiyat Court
final.
1952 : Hyd. X] The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 9
1[13-A. Powers of Atiyat Courts when holding inquiries under this Act. —
Every Atiyat Court shall, when holding an inquiry under this Act have the same
powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of
1908), in respect of the following matters, namely :—
(a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) compelling the production of documents and other material objects;
(c) issuing commission for examination of witnesses;
(d) such other matters as may be prescribed; and every inquiry or
investigation by an Atiyat Court shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding
within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860
(XLV of 1860).]
14. Rules. — Government may mak e rules for carrying out the pur pose of this
Act and in particular for anything which may be prescribed under this Act.
15. Repeal.— Dastoor-ul-Amals Inams, and Circular No. 10 of 1338 Fasli and all
other circulars amending or supplementing the same are hereby repealed:
Provided that,—
(a) any rule, order or notification made or issued under the circulars hereby
repealed in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall be
deemed to have been made or issued under this Act and shall co ntinue to be in
force until it is superseded thereunder;
(b) all suits, appeals and applications pending immediately before the
commencement of this Act before an Atiyat Court or before the Atiyat Appeal
Committee 2[shall, until such time as no procedure is prescribed therefor under
this Act, be continued and disposed of as if this Act, had not been passed and on
such procedure being prescribed, they shall, notwithstanding anything contained
in the Hyderabad (Aboliti on of Jagirs) Regulat ion, 1358 Fasli (LXIX of 1358 F)
or any other law for the time being in force, be continued and disposed of in
accordance with such procedure as if they had been filed under this Act,] but
such cases may be heard and disposed of by the same Court or Committee before
whom they are pending immediately before the commencement of this Act or by
any other Atiyat Court or authority appointed for the purposes by the
Government by a general or special order.
3[16. Savings.— The provisions of this Act shall cease to be applicable :—
(a) to an Atiyat grant specified in sub -clause (i) of clause (b) of sub-section
(1) of section 2, when the commutation sum has ceased to be payable;
(b) to an Atiyat grant specified in sub -clause ( iii) of clause ( b) of sub-
section (1) of section 2, when the compensation has ceased to be payable;
(c) to an Atiyat grant specified in sub-clause (v) of sub-section (1) of section
2, when such grant has ceased to continue;
(d) to an Atiyat grant specified in sub-clause (vi) of clause (b) of sub-section
(1) of section 2, when the compensation has ceased to be payable.]
1 This section has been inserted by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
2 These words have been substituted for the words “shall be continued and disposed of as if this Act had not
been passed” by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
3 This section has been substituted for the old section ( viz., “The provisions of this Act shall cea se to be
applicable to any Inam to which at any time the Hyderabad Enfranchised Inam Act, 1952 is made
applicable”, by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
Atiyat Court
shall have same
powers of the
Civil Court.
Act XLV of 1860.
Government
may make rules.
Repeal.
1SCHEDULE
Original Jurisdiction of Atiyat Courts
Atiyat Deputy Collector Atiyat Collector Nazim Atiyat
Description of
Atiyat grant
Before the
appointed date
As from the
appointed date
Before the
appointed date
As from the
appointed date
Before the
appointed date
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Atiyat grants
other than cash
Total annual land
assessment upto
Rs. 250.
Total annual land
assessment upto
Rs. 5,000.
Beyond the
powers of Atiyat
Dy. Collector up
to an annual and
assessment of Rs.
5,000.
Beyond the powers
of Atiyat Dy.
Collector without
any limit.
Beyond the
powers of Atiyat
Collector
without any
limit.
2. Cash grants. Upto Rs. 100
annually.
Upto Rs. 1,000
annually.
Beyond the
powers of Atiyat
Dy. Collector
upto Rs. 1,000
annually.
Beyond the powers
of Atiyat Dy.
Collector without
any limit.
Beyond the
powers of Atiyat
Collector
without any
limit.
1 This Schedule has been substituted for the old Schedule by Hyderabad Act No. XXVIII of 1956.
10 The Hyderabad Atiyat Inquiries Act, 1952 [1952 : Hyd. X