Man shows interest in Bengaluru PG as a potential tenant, gains access to room and allegedly steals two laptops, two chargers and ₹10,000 cash

A man allegedly posed as a prospective tenant at a Bengaluru PG before turning into a thief within hours. Carrying a backpack and claiming to work at a private firm, he gained access to a room in a Marathahalli paying guest accommodation and allegedly fled with two laptops, two chargers and around ₹10,000 in cash. Police are now scanning CCTV footage from nearby buildings to identify the suspect, reported TOI.

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Thief agrees to Rs 8,000 monthly rent

The stranger told the PG owner that he worked at a private firm and agreed to pay Rs 8,000 as monthly rent along with an advance. He then said he needed some rest and would make the payment within an hour.

Owner leaves, stranger allegedly breaks open wardrobe

After the owner returned to the first floor, the man allegedly waited until he was alone and used tools to break open Krishna’s wardrobe, according to a TOI report.

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Two laptops, chargers and ₹10,000 stolen

The suspect allegedly fled with an office-issued laptop, Krishna’s personal laptop, two laptop chargers and around ₹10,000 in cash.

Resident returns to find room ransacked

Krishna returned to the PG around 2.30pm after playing cricket and found the room door open and the wardrobe damaged. He immediately alerted the owner.

PG owner did not collect ID proof

The owner had allowed the stranger into the room without collecting his identity documents or mobile number, despite the man claiming to be a private-sector employee.

CCTV captures suspect’s entry

A CCTV camera recorded the man entering the PG around 11am. The owner had used his fingerprint to open the biometric door for him.

Power cut leaves suspect’s exit unclear

The CCTV camera was not recording when the man left the building around noon because of a power cut. Police therefore do not have a clear record of his exit.

Police scan nearby CCTV cameras

HAL Police said the suspect’s face is not clearly visible in the PG footage. Investigators are checking CCTV cameras installed at nearby buildings for further clues.

Police warn PG owners over tenant verification

A police officer said PG owners have repeatedly been advised to collect ID proofs and follow security procedures before allowing new tenants to move in.

Illegal PGs in Bengaluru

Nearly half of the paying guest (PG) accommodations in east Bengaluru, the city’s major tech corridor, are allegedly operating without the required licences, building plan approvals or fire safety clearances.

A counsel for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) told the Karnataka High Court that out of around 5,000 PGs in east Bengaluru, nearly 2,500 are being run without proper approvals. Notices are being issued to the establishments, with authorities planning to file caveats in the High Court and jurisdictional civil courts. After giving the operators an opportunity to be heard, the authorities will pass orders and may shut down the establishments. Demolition could also be considered where necessary, the counsel said.

In a detailed interim order, Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued 81 directions covering the regulation, inspection and safety of PG accommodations across Bengaluru. The directions focus on the life, health, safety and dignity of occupants, as well as the interests of neighbouring residents and property owners.

The court directed authorities to establish a continuous system for identifying, inspecting and enforcing compliance at PGs instead of treating licensing as a one-time exercise.

Owners and operators responsible for compliance

The court placed responsibility for statutory and regulatory compliance on the owner, operator and person managing the PG. Where ownership and operation involve different people, inspection records must clearly identify the owner, lessee and operator.

The operator will be responsible for day-to-day compliance, including ensuring that occupancy limits are followed and that security, CCTV, fire safety, emergency arrangements, sanitation and hygiene standards are maintained.