Landlord arrested for not furnishing tenant details

Sub-Inspector H J Zala of Kutiyana town police lodged a complaint against one Lakha alias Bhikhu Deva Mer (45) for violating the district collector’s notification asking landlords to furnish details of their tenants in a prescribed form to the nearest police station. Lakha was arrested under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. He was later released on bail by a local court.

According to Zala,a fortnight ago,a girl eloped with a boy,who was a tenant in Lakha’s house. The girl’s father lodged a complaint with the Kutiyana police. During investigation,it was revealed that the tenant had introduced himself as a student with an assumed name. He was believed to be a resident of some village falling under Rajula taluka in nearby Amreli district. Besides,Lakha had no information about the boy,said Zala. Following this revelation,the investigating officer informed the Porbander SP regarding this,who ordered Zala to register an offence against Lakha.

“The district collector has made it mandatory for landlords to furnish details of their tenants before providing their house on rent. A notification in this regard has been already issued by the district collector,” Zala said.

“Porbandar district is located on the sea coast and has a history of anti-national activities carried out through its shore. The district is considered strategically important and sensitive; and to keep a close eye on it,it was desperately needed to keep tabs on any suspicious person or movement in the area,” he added.