Delhi Police launches tenant verification drive

To strengthen security ahead of Independence Day, police in south Delhi have launched a tenant verification drive and registered 49 cases this month, a police officer said Friday.

"The drive has started to find out anti-social elements who may seek hideouts in the residential areas," said a police official.

According to the officer, the drive was launched July 1 under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance of apprehended danger), ordering that no landlord shall rent out his accommodation to any person unless and until he has furnished particulars of the prospective tenant at the concerned police station.

"Contravention of these orders is a punishable offence under Section 188 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code, section relating to disobedience of order duly promulgated by public servant)," said the official.

Since July, 49 cases have been registered and errant property owners and their tenants have been arrested, the official said.