BHUBANESWAR: Commissionerate police have asked hotels to inform local police about the presence of guests they suspect of immoral or illegal activities. Police said failure to do so might encourage criminals to commit offences with ease.
This directive comes as two out-of-state criminals, who looted Rs 27 lakh from an ATM on October 10, were found to have stayed in two hotels in the Patia area here. The accused had brought a gas cylinder to the room of one of the hotels, which they had later used to break open the ATM.
“The hotel staffers were suspicious of the guests. When the employees questioned the men, the duo left the hotel and checked into another accommodation. The hotel staffers should have informed local police immediately,” commissioner of police Sudhanshu Sarangi said.
Police said legal action would be initiated against hotels that failed to inform them about the arrival of guests. “We have received complaints that many hotels don’t insist on guests furnishing identity cards. Local inspectors have been asked to conduct surprise checks and take action against violators. Hoteliers should check the authenticity of the identity proofs furnished by guests,” another police officer said.
Police said all hotels should be registered under the Sarais Act, 1867. As per the Act, hotels need to submit a copy of the trade licence to the district administration (police commissioner in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack) as a proof of their work. “We have asked all hotels to conduct regular safety audit of their establishments. Hotels should install CCTV cameras, metal detectors and baggage scanners in their establishments,” the officer said.
Citizens alleged police often looked the other way, and even took bribes from owners of shady hotels and inns. “Action should be taken against those cops who are hand-in-glove with errant hoteliers,” S N Mohanty, a retired lecturer, said.