Four Landlords Booked In Navi Mumbai For Renting Flats To Foreign Nationals Without Mandatory Registration
Four Landlords Booked In Navi Mumbai For Renting Flats To Foreign Nationals Without Mandatory Registration
Police register three cases after early-morning raids in Kharghar and Taloja; eight foreign nationals issued ‘Leave India’ notices
In a major action against violations of the Foreigners Act, Navi Mumbai Police have registered three separate cases against four landlords for illegally renting their flats to foreign nationals without completing the mandatory government registration process. The crackdown was carried out following verification drives in Kharghar and Taloja areas, where eight foreign nationals, mostly of Nigerian origin, were found staying without proper reporting by their landlords.
The operation was conducted by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Navi Mumbai Police and began early in the morning at around 7 am. Officials said the action was part of a broader drive to ensure compliance with legal requirements related to accommodation of foreign nationals in residential premises.
Under Indian law, landlords are required to submit a C-Form on the Government of India’s official portal whenever they rent their property to a foreign national. This is a statutory obligation under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939. The form helps authorities track the stay, visa status, and movement of foreign citizens in the country and is considered essential for national security and immigration control.
In the first case registered at Kharghar police station, a flat owner from Sector 30 was booked for allegedly renting out her apartment to a Nigerian national without filing the mandatory C-Form. The violation came to light during routine verification conducted by the ANC team.
The second case, also registered at Kharghar police station, involved two flat owners from a residential complex in Sector 35F. Police said one of the landlords had allegedly rented out her flat to four Nigerian nationals, while another had accommodated one foreign national in her apartment. In both cases, the landlords failed to inform authorities or submit the required C-Forms, which made their actions illegal under existing regulations.
The third case was registered at Taloja police station, where a landlord from Parvati Heights was booked for allegedly renting his flat to two Nigerian nationals without completing the mandatory reporting process. Police said the owner had knowingly provided accommodation without government registration, thereby facilitating their unlawful stay.
All three cases were registered based on formal complaints filed by personnel of the Anti-Narcotics Cell following the verification drive conducted on January 9. Senior police officials said investigations are underway to verify the visa status, duration of stay, and travel documents of the foreign nationals found during the raids. Authorities are also checking whether any additional landlords are involved in similar violations.
“Landlords are legally bound to inform authorities about the stay of foreign nationals. Failure to do so is a serious offence and will attract strict action. Such verification drives will continue across Navi Mumbai,” a senior police officer said.
Meanwhile, the detained foreign nationals have been issued ‘Leave India’ notices by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). These notices direct individuals who are staying in violation of immigration rules to exit the country within a stipulated time frame. Officials confirmed that further action would depend on the outcome of visa verification and compliance with FRRO directions.
Police said such cases are not just about paperwork lapses but also raise concerns related to safety, illegal activities, and misuse of residential properties. The ANC has not ruled out the possibility of more cases emerging as the crackdown expands to other parts of Navi Mumbai.
The action has sent a strong message to property owners that renting out premises to foreign nationals without completing legal formalities is a punishable offence. Authorities have urged landlords to ensure strict compliance with C-Form submission norms, whether renting to tourists, students, or working professionals from other countries.
With Navi Mumbai witnessing increasing international movement due to business, education, and travel, police officials said regular checks would become more frequent to prevent misuse of residential properties and to ensure that all foreign nationals stay in the country in accordance with Indian laws.
