Chennai Police have issued fresh instructions to private lodges, making it mandatory to collect and record identity details of people renting rooms. The move is aimed at preventing crimes and improving safety in lodging facilities.
The directive follows a recent incident in Periyamet, Chennai, where a 21-year-old woman from Sivaganga district was found murdered in a private lodge. Police said the man who stayed with her, a 21-year-old from Ramapuram, Chennai, later died by suicide in the same room.
Police noted that similar incidents—including murder, suicide and alleged storage of narcotics—have been reported earlier in private lodges across different parts of the state. To curb such cases, lodge owners have been asked to follow a set of restrictions.
As per the order, lodges must obtain and register a guest’s name, address, Aadhaar number, mobile number and ID proof details in their records. If there is suspicion about persons staying for more than two days, the nearest police station must be informed.
The instructions also call for special attention to guests arriving from other districts or states, and for ensuring that prohibited items are not kept in rooms. Police have also directed that lodge registers be inspected twice a day—morning and evening—as part of crime prevention measures.
