Srinagar Police Book Hotels, Homestays & Houseboats for Violating Immigration Norms; Five FIRs Registered

In a bid to strengthen security measures across the summer capital, Srinagar Police has initiated strict legal action against several hotels, a homestay, and multiple houseboats for violating mandatory Form-C reporting norms under the Immigration & Foreigners Act.

During routine inspections of hospitality establishments, police found multiple violations related to the accommodation of foreign nationals without proper reporting to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). As a result, five FIRs have been registered across different police stations in the city.

1. Rajbagh

In Rajbagh, Hotel Blossoms, Hotel Grand MS, and Hotel Golden Forest were found accommodating foreign nationals without submitting Form-C to the FRO.
FIR No. 65/2025 under Sections 8 & 23-B of the Immigration & Foreigners Act has been registered at Police Station Rajbagh.

2. Khanyar

In Khanyar, Hotel Khyber at Khayam failed to comply with Form-C reporting despite repeated instructions. The management was unable to provide any evidence of submission.
Accordingly, FIR No. 57/2025 was lodged at Police Station Khanyar under relevant provisions of law.

3. Lal Bazar

In Lal Bazar, IMY Homestay at Nowabagh Bagwanpora, owned by Mohammad Aslam Baktoo, was found concealing the stay of Mr. Starobinsky Lior, an Israeli national, among others. No Form-C was filed for the foreign guest.
FIR No. 60/2025 under Sections 8 and 23(b) of the Immigration & Foreigners Act has been registered at Police Station Lal Bazar.

4. Nishat

In Nishat, house owner Mohammad Ashraf Zargar of Brein was found in violation of mandatory Form-C reporting.
A case under FIR No. 101/2025 (Sections 8-23(b)) has been filed at Police Station Nishat.

5. Ram Munshi Bagh

In the Ram Munshi Bagh area, several houseboats were found violating mandatory foreigner reporting norms, including:

• Floating Castle (owned by Farooq Ahmad Guroo) – boarded by a Taiwanese national

• Best View Houseboat (owned by Farooq Ahmad Kutroo) – boarded by a Russian national

• Crystal Palace (owned by Gh Hassan Karnai) – boarded by a Romanian national

• Lake Palace (owned by Mohammad Altaf Gunna) – boarded by a Spanish national

Accordingly, FIR No. 94/2025 under Sections 7, 14, and 16 of the Immigration & Foreigners Act was registered at Police Station RM Bagh.

Srinagar Police said that investigations are underway to identify possible forward and backward linkages in these violations.

Reiterating its warning, police stated that strict compliance with Form-C norms is mandatory for all hotels, guest houses, homestays and houseboat operators whenever they accommodate foreign nationals. Any violation constitutes a serious offence and will invite legal consequences.

Srinagar Police affirmed its commitment to safeguarding national security and maintaining peace and public order in the region.