The order issued by the City Police Commissioner mandating all house owners to submit the details about their tenants came into force on Sunday and police have started distributing the model forms within city limits.
Besides the information about the tenants, the model form also asks for basic details about the landlords. House owners must give details about their occupation, name and address of their occupational place. The form also asks for the residential and office phone details.
Regarding tenants, the form asks specifically for a mobile number along with their permanent address and last place of residence. A photo ID proof of the tenant is also requested. This can be one of the following: ration card, voter ID, driving license, PAN card, arm license or passport. A photo of the tenant must also be pasted in the form. The form does not ask for occupational details. A statement from the police said that house owners must submit details of the tenants within 15 days of renting out the house.
As per CrPC Section 144, under which the order was promulgated, the order can be in force only for two months. It can be extended for a maximum of four more months by an order of the state government. But it is unclear what powers the police would have, to collect details of the tenants after the expiry of the order’s time limit.
A statement of the police said that house owners must submit the details only in person in the respective police station where the house is located. Police sources said that the city police is considering a relaxation of the conditions in collecting tenant information.