5 FIRs registered for renting properties to Rohingyas in Jammu

Jammu, Nov 24: J&K Police have registered five cases for renting out properties to undocumented Rohingya refugees in Jammu city and outskirts.

Besides, fourteen FIRs have been registered against house or landowners for failure to provide the information or details of tenants or outsiders residing across the district to the Police.

“Acting tough on those renting properties out to Rohingyas without verification in violation of orders, these cases have been registered. In a significant step to curb the illegal influx of Rohingya refugees and to ensure public safety, the Police identified several instances and likewise registered cases against landlords who have knowingly or unknowingly rented their properties to Rohingya refugees, who are undocumented and pose a potential security threat,” officials said.

Earlier, the District Commissioner, Jammu had issued an order making police verification of tenants mandatory for all property owners in the district.

“This directive was issued in the wake of increasing concerns regarding the potential threat posed by anti-social elements and unauthorized individuals who may use rented properties for illegal activities,” officials said.

“In this regard, Police have initiated a comprehensive investigation. Following probe, according to Police, two cases i.e., FIR No 182/2024 and FIR No 184/2024, both under section 223 of BNS have been registered in the Police Station Nowabad against Farman Ali, son of Gulam Mohd, resident of Bhawani Nagar, Talab Tillo Jammu and Azam Malik, son of Masood Malik, resident of Ashti Mohalla, Batmaloo, Srinagar, respectively.

Besides, three cases i.e., FIR No 296/2024; FIR No 297/2024 and FIR No 298/2024, all under section 223 of BNS have also been registered in the Police Station Bahu Fort against Asima Latief, daughter of Abdul Latief, resident of Rahima Abad, Bhatindi; Mohd Shakeel, son of Rahim Ali, resident of Rahima Abad, Bhatindi and Zakir Hussain, son of Khurshed Ali, resident of Dungian, Bhatindi, respectively.

“Jammu and Kashmir Police remains committed to safeguarding the interests of the public and urges all landlords to exercise due diligence and conduct thorough police verification of tenants before renting out their properties,” officials said.

Similarly, Police, while taking strict action against house or land owners, have registered fourteen cases in subdivision East of South zone, Jammu for violating District Magistrate’s order.

Cases have been filed under Section 163 Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita against those who failed to provide the information or details of tenants or outsiders residing in their properties, across Jammu (district) to District Police.

An exercise, on the directions of SSP Jammu, has been started by SP South headed by SDPO East, for the verification process of all the outsiders staying as tenants and domestic helps without the knowledge and verification of concerned Police Station.

During the drive, according to Police, nine cases were registered at Police Station Bahu fort and five cases at Police Station Channi Himmat under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

District Magistrate, in his order, had directed all the owners to get the police verification of the tenants done in the jurisdiction of district Jammu under section 163 BNSS.

“In view of the prevailing security scenario, all the citizens have been urged to come forward and provide the complete details of their tenants and domestic helpers to their nearest Police Station and get the police verification done timely as per law,” officials reiterated.