Concealing stay of foreign nationals in hotels is offence; Police books hotel in Pahalgam for violation

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 04 (STC): Here is a warning for hoteliers. Don’t miss to report your foreign guests staying in the hotel to the police. If you fail to report it, a case can be registered against you under Sections 8 and 23(b) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
According to the reports, Jammu and Kashmir Police have lodged an FIR against a hotel in the Pahalgam for allegedly failing to report the stay of two foreign nationals, which is mandatory under Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Reports quoting officials said that a police team from Police Station Pahalgam, during routine inspections of hotels and guest establishments in the Rafting Point area, found that Hotel Golden Heritage, Rafting Point, Yenner, had accommodated two Thai nationals without submitting the mandatory Form C. “The form, which must be filed online by all establishments hosting foreign guests, is a key component of the reporting and verification mechanism mandated under the Act.”
The hotel, the officials said, had concealed the stay of the visitors, a lapse seen as a serious security concern and a clear breach of statutory obligations meant to ensure proper monitoring of foreign travellers.
Reports quoting officials state that “following the detection, FIR No. 79/2025 under Sections 8 and 23(b) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, was registered at Police Station Pahalgam.”
(Straight Talk Communications)