The District Magistrate of South Andaman has issued a sweeping directive mandating landlords, property managers, and business owners to report details of all tenants, paying guests, and domestic staff to the local police. The order, effective from July 30, 2025, and valid for 60 days, has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)-2023, as a precautionary measure against rising concerns over the presence of anti-social elements in residential and commercial areas.
The directive was prompted by intelligence inputs indicating that individuals involved in clandestine and potentially dangerous activities may be taking refuge in privately rented accommodations across South Andaman. Officials believe that, without preventive measures, such acts could cause a breach of public peace, threaten human life, and damage public or private property.
To address these risks, the order mandates that no landlord, property owner, or manager may rent out or sublet any property unless they have first submitted complete details of the tenant(s) or paying guests to the police station under whose jurisdiction the premises falls. This requirement also applies to those employing domestic servants or house help. Particulars such as name, address, and identity proof must be formally recorded with the police before any such individuals are allowed to reside or work on the premises.
Importantly, the rule is retrospective in nature, applying even to current tenants or domestic staff for whom the information has not yet been submitted. Individuals with existing arrangements are now obligated to report the details to local police authorities within the duration of the order.
The measure is considered an emergency protocol and is issued ex-parte, meaning it applies broadly to the public without requiring individual notification. Notices are being affixed at district offices, police stations, courts, and other public buildings, and are also being published via print media to ensure widespread awareness.
Failure to comply with the directive could result in penal action under Section 208 of the BNSS-2023. This provision allows for prosecution of individuals or entities who obstruct or violate preventive orders related to public safety.
While South Andaman is not unfamiliar with security regulations, especially due to its strategic significance and history of transient populations, this order represents one of the most comprehensive domestic surveillance steps taken in recent years. It follows a similar order (No. 1365) issued just days earlier requiring hotels, homestays, and lodges to install functional CCTV systems and register all guests.
The two back-to-back directives suggest an increased focus on tracking movement across both public lodging and private residential spaces. Officials have not revealed the specific nature of the threats involved but maintain that the situation necessitates heightened vigilance across all levels of accommodation and employment.
Security experts note that such administrative orders, though restrictive in nature, are common in urban areas during times of elevated threat perception. The measure is seen as part of a broader toolkit for crime prevention and intelligence gathering, especially in regions like the Andaman Islands where geographic isolation can delay rapid response in crisis situations.
For property owners and residents, the order means closer engagement with local law enforcement and possible adjustments to tenancy procedures. Those unfamiliar with formal verification processes are encouraged to approach their nearest police station for guidance. Police departments are expected to facilitate the information collection process through streamlined forms or digital submissions wherever possible.
As the 60-day window begins, authorities are urging citizens to treat the measure not as a burden but as a contribution to a safer, more secure community. By building a verified database of temporary and long-term occupants, the administration hopes to reduce the risk of anti-social elements operating under assumed identities or unregulated employment.
