Fearing loss of business, landlords forgo police verification of paying guests

The burglars who had committed heist at the branch of a private gold finance company in the city on February 9 were living as paying guests in DLF Phase-3.

Conspiracy of committing the heist at the private gold finance company that resulted in the theft of 33 kg gold and Rs 7.80 lakh in cash was hatched at this PG room. With lot of youngsters coming to Gurugram, PGs and renting single rooms have become a profitable business in Gurugram.

Besides, DLF Phase 3 areas of Sikanderpur, Chakkarpur, Wazirabad, Sukhrali and Sushant Lok-C block are some of the most popular places in the city. With lot of

competition in the market, most landlords forgo police verification of the tenants.

Faced with a rise in crime in the city, lack of proper identification of the people in the city has proved to be a cause of difficulty for Gurugram police.

Many landlords acknowledged that in case of tenants who live for a short period of time, often conditions of police verification are left out.

"The rental and the PG are extremely viable businesses. There are many youngsters who come to the city daily for jobs. As most of the people come here for a

shorter period of time, often the process of police verification does not get followed," said Bhagat Yadav from Sikanderpur.

"Even though we try to follow the due procedures of verifying the tenants and ensuring the safety and security, sometimes in fear of losing business we do not carry

out the verification and depend on the trustworthiness of the poeple," said Yadav.

According to the police sources, not only at PGs but also in various guest houses across the city, there is no proper registration of guests and tenants.

"Today, most of the crimes are being committed by the people who are from outside the city. It has become all the more important for landowners to understand their

responsibilities and provide the right record of these people to the police. Unfortunately, most of the landlords and guest houses are not fulfilling their responsibility," said a senior Gurugram police official.

With a rise in crime in the city and many criminals not being caught, the Gurugram police will also launch a campaign in various city condominiums for verification of domestic help.