The absence of an online system for sharing guest information with the local police has made compliance cumbersome for hoteliers, who say the existing process is time-consuming and requires dedicated staff. At present, hotels and lodges are required to submit guest reports to the police in hard copy.
Hoteliers say this often makes the process unnecessarily cumbersome. In many cases, police stations are located one to three kilometres from hotels, and staff carrying the documents may have to wait before handing them over.
Speaking to TGC, hotelier Prakash Tibrewal said an online reporting system could address several of these issues. He suggested that hotels could submit their daily guest reports online by late evening, allowing the police administration to access a centralised database for verification and monitoring.
Such a system, he said, would also reduce paperwork and the need for hotel staff to visit police stations physically.
Hoteliers are also seeking a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) outlining the steps they must follow while dealing with guests and sharing their details with the police. They say the absence of a clearly defined SOP creates confusion and makes it difficult for hotel staff to explain the compliance requirements to guests.
Tibrewal suggested that the SOP issued by the police administration could be displayed on hotel notice boards to ensure that both staff and guests are aware of the prescribed guidelines.
Another concern raised by hoteliers is police verification visits, which they say sometimes take place late at night. They point out that not every hotel has a senior manager or highly paid staff member available during night hours, making such visits difficult to manage.
Hoteliers have urged the police administration to implement an online reporting system and issue a clear SOP to streamline the process.
In July 2024, then Director General of Police Anurag Gupta reportedly announced during a meeting with traders that dedicated software had been developed to address the issue. However, more than two years later, hoteliers say the system is yet to be effectively implemented.
The importance of timely guest information was also highlighted by a September 2025 joint operation involving the Delhi Police Special Cell, Jharkhand ATS and Ranchi Police, which led to the arrest of suspected ISIS operative Ashar Danish from Tabarak Lodge in the Islamnagar area under Lower Bazar police station.
However, no police official has publicly clarified whether a new online system is being developed or when such a system could become operational. At present, guest details continue to be submitted manually in hard copy to police stations across the state.
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