GHAZIABAD: Police inspected around 400 hotels across the district and found at least 192 were operating without the required documents.
A team led by DCP City Rajesh Kumar inspected 122 hotels and lodges on Tuesday and sealed 56 that were not in compliance with regulations. In the rural areas, police teams led inspected 108 hotels, sealing 54 hotels and lodges that lacked proper registration.
In the trans-Hindon region, 160 hotels were inspected. Of these 82 were sealed.
The inspections followed several complaints regarding illegal hotels operating in the region, some of which have been linked to criminal activities. “We have sealed all these illegal hotels and investigations are underway for further action. In the investigation, we found that most hotels were partners of a well-known hospitality chain,” said Ajay Kumar Mishra, commissioner of police. Mishra said, “From July to Dec 30, 13 sex rackets were busted in the city, leading to the arrest of 48 people. The number shows how these unregistered hotels are being misused.”
Nimish Patil, DCP of Trans-Hindon, said that many hotels were operating without registration under the SARAIs Act of 1867, which regulates lodging establishments. Some were also operating in residential areas where commercial activities are not permitted. “We are checking whether the hospitality chain is verifying all the documents of the hotels it partners with. If not, we will issue notices or ask for further clarification,” he said.
Patil also said some of these hotels were found to be involved in illegal activities. “Many others were found operating out of residential areas where commercial operations are not allowed,” he added.
