15 landlords booked daily in Delhi this year for skipping mandatory tenant checks as police uncover illegal stays

Amid heightened security concerns in the capital, Delhi Police are booking nearly 15 property owners every day for failing to comply with mandatory tenant verification procedures, ToI reported, citing officials.

According to figures shared by the force, 4,650 cases were registered against property owners up to October under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for “disobeying a lawful order from a public servant”. Police said they have carried out verification checks on around 2.25 lakh tenants so far this year.

Officers said the rising number of prosecutions reflects widespread negligence, with many landlords either unaware of the requirement or deliberately choosing not to furnish tenant details. “They often considered the process unnecessary or time-consuming and were unaware that non-compliance could lead to fines or legal action,” an officer said.


The enforcement drive intensified in early November when Delhi Police apprehended 260 nationals from several African countries for illegally staying in India, and initiated action against more than 25 property owners who had rented premises to them.

During the ongoing checks, police also uncovered widespread unauthorised commercial activity. At least 113 guesthouses were found operating without required licences and were subsequently prosecuted. “Licensed guesthouses are subject to inspections and regulations, but unlicensed ones operate without oversight, making it easier to carry out illegal activities unnoticed. If criminal elements stay at such places and commit crimes, tracking them becomes difficult,” an officer said.

Special commissioner of police (crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava underlined that tenant verification is not only mandated by law but is essential for maintaining public safety. Police rely on accurate information to track residents and respond swiftly to crime or suspicious activity, he said.

“We are also raising awareness among citizens by meeting them regularly, using social, print and electronic media, and actively engaging with market and residents associations to highlight the importance of verification and the legal obligations associated with it,” Srivastava said.

As Delhi’s rental market expands, officers stressed that landlords cannot ignore their legal and civic responsibilities. “Tenant verification helps identify who is living in the area, prevents criminals from using rented accommodations as safe havens and enables police to track residents quickly and respond efficiently during investigations or emergencies,” an officer said.

Police added that verification can be completed both online and offline. “The online filing system is available on the Delhi Police website, or property owners can download the form and submit it with supporting documents to the police station concerned,” an officer said.

(With inputs from ToI)