Nagpur police impose new rules on hotel entry for unmarried couples
Nagpur Police have ordered hotels not to deny rooms to unmarried adult couples, while tightening ID verification, CCTV and reporting rules to curb illegal activity.
Unmarried couples aged 18 or above can no longer be turned away from hotels, lodges, guest houses and homestays in Nagpur city merely for not being married. Nagpur Police have issued a new order stating that if both individuals are adults and are booking a room of their own will, hotel operators cannot refuse them solely on the grounds that they are unmarried.
The order came into effect from 12:01 am on September 11 and will remain in force until November 9. Police said the new directives are aimed at cracking down on illegal activities taking place in hotels and lodges.
Under the rules, hotels must verify the identity of every guest. Only an original Aadhaar card, passport or driving licence will be accepted as valid identification, while a PAN card will generally not be accepted as valid identity proof. Hotel operators must record each guest's name, address, mobile number, type and number of identity document, along with accurate check-in and check-out times. Staff identity, address proof and updated mobile numbers must also be kept on record.
Hotels, lodges, guest houses and homestays must keep CCTV cameras running 24 hours at designated locations including entry gates and public areas. The recordings must be preserved for at least one year and handed over to police on demand. Operators are also responsible for getting faulty CCTV cameras repaired immediately. In addition, a "zero tolerance" board against human trafficking and other illegal activities must be displayed prominently on the premises.
Hotel operators must inform police of fake identity documents, suspicious bookings or any illegal activity, including incidents such as disputes, suspicious deaths, suicide attempts and missing persons. Minors will only be allowed entry into hotels accompanied by parents and after identity verification. According to Nagpur Police, these rules will help curb human trafficking, prostitution and fraud under "Operation Shakti".
According to sources, police have removed unauthorised signboards from more than 20 hotels using the OYO brand, and legal action is underway in related cases. The matter had also come to the notice of Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. He said citizens had complained about alleged illegal activities in hotels operating in their neighbourhoods. This was followed by discussions with Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil, and the matter was brought to the attention of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Hotel operators who violate the rules can face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
