A Lucknow Hotel Faces FIR for Not Reporting Omani Nationals’ Stay upscale Gomti Nagar area is facing legal trouble after police discovered that five foreign nationals from Oman were staying at the property without the required notification to local authorities. The hotel, identified as Hotel Viana Inn, allegedly violated key regulations under the Foreigners Act, which makes it compulsory to inform the police about the stay of any foreign guests.
The issue came to light during a routine inspection by the police on Thursday, April 25. Officials from the Gomti Nagar Police Station discovered that five Omani citizens had been living in the hotel for the past 15 days. However, the hotel had not submitted the legally required ‘Form C’—a document that all hotels and guesthouses in India must file whenever a foreign national checks in.
Hotel Management Booked
An FIR (First Information Report) has now been lodged against the hotel’s owner, Gaurav Kashyap, and the hotel manager, identified as Adil. Both are being investigated for failing to follow protocol under the Foreigners Act.
Shashank Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), confirmed the development. “The hotel management did not inform the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) or the local police station about the presence of the five Omani nationals. This is a serious violation of security and immigration norms,” he said.
The Foreigners Act of 1946 clearly states that any person or institution that provides accommodation to a foreign national must report the guest’s details within 24 hours of their arrival. This rule applies to hotels, hostels, paying guest accommodations, and even private homes that host foreign travelers.
What is Form C and Why is it Important?
In India, Form C is an important document used for monitoring the movement of foreign visitors in the country. It is part of India’s security protocol and helps government agencies track who is entering and staying in different cities. Hotels are legally bound to collect passport and visa details of foreign nationals and send this information to the Bureau of Immigration and local authorities.
Failure to comply can not only result in legal penalties but also raises red flags for national security.
According to officials, Hotel Viana Inn completely skipped this process, and no entries were made in the digital or manual registers maintained for such records.
Police Investigating Possible Larger Network
While the FIR has been registered against the hotel management, sources within the local police suggest that further investigation is ongoing. Authorities are trying to find out why the hotel avoided filing the report and whether the Omani nationals involved had any other motives for staying in India without proper registration.
Officials from the local intelligence unit have also joined the inquiry to examine if there are links to visa violations or other legal breaches. Immigration records are being reviewed, and the travel history of the five foreign nationals is under scrutiny.
Though no criminal intent has been confirmed so far, officials are not ruling out the possibility of misuse of tourist visas or other security-related concerns.
Repeat Offenses in Uttar Pradesh
This is not the first time that a hotel in Uttar Pradesh has found itself in legal trouble for not informing authorities about foreign guests.
In 2023, a hotel in Gorakhpur was booked after it failed to inform the police about the stay of a French tourist. That case became more serious when the tourist was later found to be in violation of visa rules. Similarly, in Lalitpur, a hotel was sealed by the authorities after it allowed Iranian nationals to stay without submitting their details to the police, especially during heightened alerts following the COVID-19 pandemic.
These incidents have raised growing concerns about the need for strict monitoring and stronger awareness among hoteliers about the legal procedures concerning foreign guests.
Tourism vs. Security: A Delicate Balance
India welcomes millions of international tourists every year. The country’s hospitality sector is a major contributor to the economy and a key employer. However, with growing global security concerns, authorities are urging all tourism and hospitality providers to strictly follow the law.
Many hotel owners claim that the rules are complex and not always clearly explained by the authorities. But the government maintains that the responsibility of learning and following the law lies with the business owner.
“Security should never be compromised in the name of business,” a senior official in the Uttar Pradesh Home Department commented. “Hotels and guesthouses must cooperate fully with the police to ensure that no foreign national goes unreported.”
What Happens Next?
With the FIR now registered, the hotel management could face both fines and imprisonment if found guilty. The Omani nationals have also been questioned, and their visa statuses are being reviewed.
The hotel could also face action from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, which has the authority to cancel the license of any establishment found breaking the law. For now, Hotel Viana Inn remains operational but under close watch by the police.
A Warning to Other Hotels
This incident sends a strong message to hotels and guesthouses across the country: strict compliance with immigration laws is non-negotiable. Whether the violation was deliberate or due to ignorance, the law takes such breaches seriously.
Authorities are expected to issue a fresh advisory to all hotels in Lucknow and possibly across Uttar Pradesh, reminding them to follow all protocols related to the accommodation of foreign guests.
Conclusion
The case of Hotel Viana Inn serves as a cautionary tale for the hospitality industry. At a time when global movement is being closely watched due to rising international tensions and border issues, it becomes even more important for institutions to follow every rule to the letter.
As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge in the coming days. For now, this incident highlights the importance of vigilance, not just by the police, but by all stakeholders involved in hosting international visitors in India.
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