Vasco police recently launched a tenant verification drive for verifying the legality of those staying in rented rooms, houses and apartments under its jurisdiction which is a good move. The law makes it compulsory for landlords to fulfill police verification of their tenants. It is often seen that the landlords rent out their property without performing due legal diligence. If the tenant is involved in any criminal act, landlord can be held responsible for this negligence. It is very easy to track the absconding culprit and those who connive in a crime in rented rooms/flat/house. Sec 144 of CrPC enables police to issue orders to house owners, asking them to provide information of their tenants. Under Sec 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which concerns the violation of order rightfully declared by a public servant, a convict may be punished with simple imprisonment and a monetary penalty or both. Any person living without verification could pose a threat to law and order so it is necessary to get them registered. All police stations should immediately start working on it.
