21 hours ago
Police involve RWAs in New Town, neighbouring areas for tenant check
Kolkata: Bidhannagar police are reaching out to residents' welfare association (RWA) office bearers of residential housing complexes in New Town and other parts of the commissionerate, asking them to furnish a list of tenants living there and ensure all of them police clearance certificates.
If the list does not match the database available with the police, they are calling up the landlords and tenants to immediately fill up a KYC verification form or face a penalty. Last month, Bidhannagar police issued an order requiring all landlords to provide tenant details to local police stations before renting out properties.
"Now, a police clearance certificate is a must for every tenant, as well as paying guests staying within our commissionerate jurisdiction, be it in gated complexes or stand-alone houses.
We are appealing to all RWAs to help us in this process," said an officer.
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by the police or govt agency of a country to certify that an individual has no criminal record or has not been involved in any criminal activity that resulted in a criminal conviction.
Speaking to TOI, RWA office bearers of multiple complexes said they have attended the meetings at police stations and their complexes.
"Cops have told us to maintain a database of tenants along with basic details, like names, tower and flat number, number of persons staying in one flat, duration of stay, their occupations, as well as names and phone numbers of brokers and landlords, and submit it to the local police station," said an RWA official from VIP Road.
An RWA official from New Town said 25% of the 800 flats in the complex are occupied by tenants, a large share of whom are Bangladeshi.
"We are cooperating with cops," he said.
Tausif Ali Azhar, DCP, Special Branch of Bidhannagar police, told TOI they have issued notices to 93 landlords for renting properties without submission of PCC and background checks on tenants. "We are giving them 7 days, and if they do not furnish the documents by then, they will be penalised."
