Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: In a preventive measure aimed at strengthening security and keeping track of people staying in rented and temporary accommodation, South Goa District Magistrate Egna Cleetus has made tenant verification compulsory across the district, directing landlords and accommodation providers to furnish tenant details to the local police before letting out their premises.
The directive, issued on November 5 under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, follows a report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, South Goa, highlighting difficulties faced by investigators in tracing suspects who allegedly use fictitious names, residential addresses and telephone numbers while staying in hotels and rented properties.
According to the police report cited in the order, verification of accommodation registers has, in several instances, revealed that the details furnished by occupants were false or misleading, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify and locate individuals after the commission of offences.
The order places the responsibility of identity verification on owners and managements of residential as well as commercial accommodation facilities throughout South Goa.
Under the directive, owners of houses, buildings, flats and other residential properties, along with hotels, lodging establishments, boarding facilities, beach shacks, private guest houses, paying guest accommodations and religious institutions offering temporary lodging, must establish the identity of occupants through valid documents.
Accepted identity documents include Election Cards, driving licences, Aadhaar cards, passports and smart cards, among other recognised identification documents.
The District Magistrate has also prohibited landlords, property owners and tenants from renting or subletting accommodation unless the particulars of the incoming tenant have been submitted to the Officer-in-Charge of the jurisdictional police station.
Managements and persons responsible for running accommodation facilities must also extend cooperation to police personnel and other authorised officials for inspections and maintenance of records.
In a separate security-related direction, heads and in-charges of nationalised banks in South Goa have been instructed to ensure round-the-clock security arrangements at their ATMs. The order requires deployment of security guards and installation of CCTV cameras or Electronic Surveillance Systems equipped with panic-button hooters, two-way communication facilities and remote monitoring controls.
Explaining the need for issuing the directions without individual notices, the District Magistrate stated that the circumstances warranted an ex-parte order, which will be publicised through newspapers, social media and notices displayed at the offices of Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Mamlatdars and police stations.
The restrictions and requirements will take effect from November 5, 2026, and remain applicable for 60 days, unless withdrawn earlier.
The order warns that violations will attract penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Deputy Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates in South Goa have been authorised to verify compliance, initiate proceedings and file complaints before the appropriate court or police station in cases of violations.
The Superintendent of Police, South Goa, has also been directed to instruct all police stations in the district to take note of the order and bring reported violations to the attention of the concerned Deputy Collector or Sub-Divisional Magistrate for necessary action.
