Foreigners Act Breach: Hotels, Houseboats Under Scanner In Srinagar

Srinagar- Srinagar Police have launched legal action against several hotels, a homestay and multiple houseboats for violating mandatory Form C reporting norms under the Immigration and Foreigners Act.

Police said that during routine inspections in Rajbagh, Khanyar, Lal Bazar, Nishat and Ram Munshi Bagh areas, several accommodation units were found allowing foreign nationals to stay without submitting Form C details to the Foreigners Registration Office.

In Rajbagh, Hotel Blossoms, Hotel Grand MS and Hotel Golden Forest were booked for violations, leading to the registration of FIR No. 65 of 2025 at Police Station Rajbagh. In Khanyar, Hotel Khyber at Khayam also faced action for failing to file Form C information despite repeated notices, with FIR No. 57 of 2025 registered at the police station concerned.

Police said IMY Home Stay in Lal Bazar concealed the stay of a foreign national from Israel and did not submit mandatory Form C details. FIR No. 60 of 2025 was filed at Police Station Lal Bazar.

In Nishat, a house owner from Vakeel Colony in Brein was booked through FIR No. 101 of 2025 for similar non-compliance.

In Ram Munshi Bagh, houseboats Floating Castle, Best View, Crystal Palace and Lake Palace accommodated guests from Taiwan, Russia, Romania and Spain without adhering to reporting requirements. FIR No. 94 of 2025 was registered under relevant sections of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.

Police said investigations are in progress to identify any possible linkages in the cases. Srinagar Police cautioned all hotels, houseboats, guest houses and homestays that Form C compliance is mandatory for hosting foreign nationals and that any violation will be treated as a serious offence under law.

Chinese National Detained

Probe agencies have sent the mobile phone of Chinese national Hu Congtai for forensic examination after he was detained in Srinagar over alleged visa violations, officials said.

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