Hotels, lodges under police scanner for lax guest verification; stress on KYC norms

The suspicious death of a woman in a lodge at Langar Houz has renewed concerns over lax guest verification practices in Hyderabad’s hotels and lodges. Police officials, examining records as part of the probe, stressed that proper registries and KYC checks are vital for tracing suspects and ensuring security.

Hyderabad: The recent suspicious death of a woman in a lodge at Langar Houz has once again brought the focus back on whether hotels and lodges in the city are following the guest verification norms as mandated by the police.

The investigation officials are currently examining hotel records as part of the probe, highlighting the crucial role of guest registries and identity verification in criminal investigations.

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Hyderabad Police have repeatedly directed hotels, lodges and guest houses to maintain accurate guest records and conduct proper Know Your Customer (KYC) verification of every occupant or guest. However, police officials say some establishments continue to be negligent in maintaining complete records AND verifying the identity of all guests, creating security concerns and hampering investigations.

To tighten compliance, the city police recently carried out Operation Kavach, a massive overnight drive covering 562 hotels and lodges, during which officers verified guest identities, inspected registers AND checked for suspicious occupants. The exercise was aimed at preventing the movement of criminals, absconders and anti-social elements using temporary accommodation.

Police officials said that maintaining proper guest records is not merely a procedural formality but an essential security measure. “Accurate records often prove critical in tracing suspects, identifying victims and reconstructing events during investigations,” said a senior police official.

 

Hyderabad Police guidelines for hotels and lodges

• Verify the identity of every guest using a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Maintain a complete guest register with names, addresses, contact details, check-in and check-out timings.
• Record details of all occupants staying in a room, not just the person making the booking.
• Retain copies of identity documents for official verification as per applicable rules.
• Promptly inform the local police about any suspicious guest, unusual activity or illegal conduct.
• Ensure CCTV systems remain functional and preserve footage for the prescribed period.
• Foreign nationals must be reported in accordance with immigration regulations through the prescribed reporting mechanism.