Jammu : To strengthen public safety and security, the District Magistrate Jammu, Dr Rakesh Minhas has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, mandating landlords, property owners, business owners and shop owners in the district to disclose details of tenants, domestic helpers and employees working in private sector or business establishments.
The order emphasises that measures must be taken to make landlords, business owners and commercial establishments accountable before renting out or hiring workers or making their premises available to tenants or domestic helpers.
Considering the potential threat posed by adverse elements to public safety and security, the District Magistrate has directed all landlords, property owners, business owners, contractors and other responsible persons within the jurisdiction of Jammu District to comply strictly with the order.
As per the directions, all owners must, within seven days of issuance of the order, submit detailed particulars of tenants and workers as per the prescribed Declaration Form annexed with the order. The form, to be signed by both the owner and the tenant or worker, must be submitted to the concerned Police Station either in person or by registered post addressed to the Station House Officer.
Owners who have already let, sub-let or rented out their properties, or hired workers prior to the issuance of the order are also required to submit the details of such tenants or workers within seven days.
The order clarifies that all arrangements for hiring workers, as well as letting or sub-letting properties, including paying guest and tenancy arrangements are covered under its provisions. Every SHO in Jammu District has been directed to maintain a separate register for this purpose.
Any person found violating the order shall be punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Since the notice cannot be served individually to all concerned, it has been issued ex-parte and promulgated for public information through the district website, leading newspapers and notice boards of all concerned offices, including those of the Commissioner JMC, SSP Jammu, Vice Chairman JDA, SDMs, Tehsildars, SDPOs and SHOs of Jammu District.
The order came into effect from October 31, 2025 and will remain in force for eight weeks unless withdrawn earlier. It may be extended or modified as required. Any contravention of the order shall invite legal consequences as contemplated under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
