Pune Police Book Homeowner and Real Estate Agent for Overstaying Nigerian Tenant
Pune city police have taken action against the owner of an apartment in Kondhwa and a real estate agent for failing to report an overstaying Nigerian woman. The woman was found to be residing illegally in the rented apartment, raising concerns about the adherence to legal norms and procedures in renting properties to foreign nationals.
The Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) of Pune city police received information about the Nigerian woman residing in an apartment behind Ajmera Hotel in Kondhwa. The FRO promptly shared this information with the Kondhwa police station. A police team was dispatched to question the owner of the apartment about the Nigerian tenant.
According to the homeowner, the apartment was rented to the foreigner through a real estate agent named Adnan Bohra (29) from Bhagyoday Nagar in Kondhwa. The police investigation revealed that no rent agreement was prepared, and the mandatory police verification procedure was not followed. This is a significant oversight, as it is essential to follow legal procedures when renting properties to foreign nationals to ensure compliance with immigration laws.
Further, the homeowner and the real estate agent were required to submit a C-form, which contains details of the foreign national, when renting the apartment. The C-form is a crucial document that helps authorities keep track of foreign nationals residing in the country. The failure to submit this form is a violation of the law.
For causing this violation, an offence has been registered against the house owner and the real estate agent under section 223 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and section 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) at the Kondhwa police station. Senior police inspector Vinay Patankar stated that the investigation is ongoing.
This case highlights the importance of following legal procedures when dealing with foreign nationals. Homeowners and real estate agents must be vigilant and ensure that all necessary documentation and verification processes are completed to avoid legal issues. It also underscores the role of the FRO in monitoring and enforcing immigration laws to maintain the integrity of the legal system and public safety.
