Hyderabad police warn service-apartment owners over illegal use of properties
Cyberabad Police have warned owners of service apartments in Hyderabad’s IT corridor that properties could be seized if they knowingly facilitate illegal activities. The warning follows three recent cases in Madhapur involving alleged gambling and prostitution, with police urging owners to verify tenants and brokers.
Cyberabad Police have warned service-apartment owners in Hyderabad’s IT corridor that their properties could be seized if they knowingly allow illegal activities to take place there. The warning follows three cases recently registered in Madhapur, including two involving gambling and one involving alleged prostitution. Police Commissioner M.
Ramesh Reddy said owners needed to be more cautious about whom they allowed to rent their premises. “We have powers to get the house seized. It is risky for the owners,” he said.
He added that the immediate purpose of the warning was to make property owners aware of the rules and the potential consequences. The prostitution case emerged after Madhapur Police and the Kukatpally Special Operations Team raided White Castle Service Apartments in Ayyappa Society on September 27. Police alleged that an organiser rented apartments by the day, brought women to the premises and arranged customers.
Madhapur Police Inspector K.V. Subba Rao said service apartments were under scrutiny. Owners have been asked to verify tenants, establish the purpose of a stay and record that information in writing.
Police said such records could help an owner show that they were unaware of later misuse. Kukatpally Deputy Commissioner of Police Ritiraj said gambling and cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act had recently surfaced at service apartments. Police also said some owners live abroad and leave brokers to manage their properties and tenants, while alleging that some owners knowingly rent premises for illegal activities.
The Commissioner has instructed officers to initially warn owners and explain the consequences. If illegal activity is detected, owners may also be booked and properties seized by the Revenue Department, police said. One owner, K.
Reddy, said he asks prospective occupants for identity documents, the reason for renting and the number of people staying. He also collects a security deposit and returns it after inspecting the property at checkout.
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