scorecardresearch
Friday, Mar 29, 2024
Advertisement
Premium

In Palghar, no renting homes to foreigners without police nod

In an order, dated November 8, Collector Kailash Shinde stated that if anyone was found to be renting out a room, flat, house, shop or even land to a person from out of India, they will have to inform the police and submit documentation regarding the person occupying their property.

Mumbai Police, Palghar house renting, Houses on rent in Mumbai, houses on rent in Palghar, houses for foreigners in Mumbai, Mumbai news, City news, Indian Express A senior district official said that several foreign nationals live in Palghar as accommodation was cheaper.

Citing “national security”, Palghar Collector has issued prohibitory orders against renting out properties to foreign nationals in the district. The onus of intimating the police, the order states, lies with the owner of the property.

In an order, dated November 8, Collector Kailash Shinde stated that if anyone was found to be renting out a room, flat, house, shop or even land to a person from out of India, they will have to inform the police and submit documentation regarding the person occupying their property.

According to the order, the owners are supposed to submit details like reason to move to the new house, visa and passport details and even group photograph of the tenant with friends and family within 24 hours of occupation of the property. “We are trying to get the complete information so that there is no confusion in the future,” said a police officer.

Advertisement

“Under the Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), using the powers I have been given, I declare that anyone who henceforth gives their property to a non-Indian citizen or who have given their properties on rent to such citizens will have to inform their local police station immediately. Without informing if the property is rented out, action will be taken against the owner under Section 188 of the CRPC,” the order read.

It further states: “In the region, several complaints of the locals getting into fights with Nigerians over petty fraud, lottery schemes, drug peddling and other issues have been coming to the authorities over a long time. In Vasai taluka, several Bangladeshi nationals have been found to be living in the past. This raises serious questions about national security. Instead of discouraging the Bangladeshi/Nigerians and other non-Indian residents, owners give them property on rent without any paper work to earn money.”

Festive offer

Shinde said the order was issued as during the Assembly elections the Palghar police had received several complaints of drug peddling and unrest due to the growing number of “illegal outsiders”.

According to local residents, a large number of Bangladeshi and Nigerian nationals reside in Vasai-Virar belt. “Some of them come legally, but overstay their term. They come as students, but are involved in drug peddling and other activities. This way, we shall at least keep a tab on who stays where,” Shinde said.

Advertisement

A senior district official said that several foreign nationals live in Palghar as accommodation was cheaper. “However, there are complaints that they are involved in drug peddling, lottery tickets and other illegal business. This leads to squabbles. Hence, we have taken out this order to ensure that the police has a database of foreign citizens with them,” the official said.

While an existing court order mandates police verification of tenants before renting out a property, this is first time that a property owner could be penalised if they don’t submit the documents before giving the houses on rent.

According to Vidita Shaha, a Vasai resident and local activist, this will only increase woes of tenants. “International students and other citizens, who come to this region, already face discrimination and have difficulty in finding houses. While criminals anyway don’t get legal rent agreements and may find a solution beyond this, more property owners would be reluctant to give their houses on rent to foreign nationals,” she said.

First uploaded on: 12-11-2019 at 01:46 IST
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
close