Cops Crack Down On Unverified Tenants

Nagpur: To tighten urban surveillance and tracking undocumented residents, the city police have made tenant verification compulsory across Nagpur, warning landlords and property agents of criminal action for non-compliance.Invoking powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Nagpur CP Ravinder Singal issued an order directing all landlords, flat owners and property agents to furnish complete tenant details to the nearest police station either before renting out premises or within 48 hours of occupancy.The order, which came into force from May 8 and will remain valid till July 7, mandates submission of tenants' names, permanent addresses, previous residential details, mobile numbers, identity documents, photographs, rent agreements and tenancy duration.Police officials said the decision was taken after concerns emerged over several tenants staying in the city without proper documentation or police records, making identification and tracking difficult during investigations. The order also flags the possibility of unlawful activities and law-and-order threats arising from the absence of verified tenant information.Special focus has been placed on foreign nationals. Landlords accommodating foreign tenants must now submit passport, visa and FRRO registration details to police.The notification further states that no property owner or agent should rent out premises without informing police and carrying out tenant verification. To enforce the order, police will conduct inspection and verification drives, particularly targeting illegal immigrants and undocumented residents.Any violation of the directive could attract criminal proceedings under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said. Citizens have also been urged to immediately report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or dial 112. The order applies across the Nagpur City Police Commissionerate limits.