Three Hoteliers Booked in Sonamarg for Violating Immigration and Foreigners Registration Act

 

By ANN News Correspondent

 

 

Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir | October 24, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have taken legal action against three hotel owners in the tourist resort town of Sonamarg for violating the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Registration Act, 2025 by failing to report the stay of foreign tourists as required by law.

 

 

 

 

According to official communication issued by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal, Khalil Ahmed, JKPS, the violations were detected during a surprise verification drive conducted by the Sonamarg Police Team on October 23, 2025. The inspection aimed to ensure compliance with immigration regulations concerning the accommodation of foreign nationals. ANN News received a copy of the police report.

 

 

 

The police report revealed that three hoteliers had hosted foreign tourists but failed to upload the mandatory ‘Form C’ on the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) portal, a crucial legal requirement for monitoring the movement and stay of international visitors in India.

The hotels and owners involved in the violations are as follows:

Hotel Name	Owner’s Name & Address	Details of Stay	Legal Action
Hotel Mount View, Sonamarg	Javaid Raza, S/o Bashir Ahmad, R/o Nishat, Srinagar	2 foreign tourists stayed on Oct 6–7, 2025	FIR No. 25/2025 u/s 8/23(B) Immigration & Foreigners Act
Village Walk Hotel, Sonamarg	Sheikh Ghulam Rasool & Illyas Shahzad, R/o Malbagh, Dargah Srinagar	8 foreign tourists stayed on Oct 23, 2025	FIR No. 25/2025 u/s 8/23(B) Immigration & Foreigners Act
Hotel Imperial Resort, Sonamarg	Fayaz Ahmad, R/o Peerbagh Srinagar	1 foreign tourist stayed on Oct 23, 2025	FIR No. 25/2025 u/s 8/23(B) Immigration & Foreigners Act

The SSP confirmed that regular cases have been registered and investigations are underway to ascertain the extent of non-compliance and whether the hoteliers deliberately concealed information about foreign guests.

 

 

 

The police stressed that all hotel and guesthouse owners are legally bound to report the arrival and departure of foreign nationals to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or FRO within 24 hours through the government’s online “Form C” system. The rule ensures the safety and monitoring of foreign tourists and strengthens India’s internal security framework.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A senior police officer familiar with the investigation said,

“Such negligence not only violates national laws but also poses a potential security concern. Hoteliers are repeatedly advised to adhere strictly to reporting protocols for all foreign guests.”

 

 

 

 

Copies of the SSP’s report have also been sent to the Director General of Police (J&K), Additional Director General of Police (CID), and Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) for further review and possible administrative action.

 

 

 

Sonamarg, often called the “Meadow of Gold,” is one of Kashmir’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting large numbers of both domestic and foreign travelers each year. The latest police action underscores authorities’ increasing vigilance in enforcing immigration compliance in sensitive border districts.