DM Jammu issues order for mandatory disclosure of tenant, employee details in private establishments
Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, NOv 1:
In a significant step towards eradicating the menace of drugs and preventing the misuse of courier and parcel services for the transportation of contraband substances, District Magistrate Jammu, Dr Rakesh Minhas, has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, read with the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and NDPS Rules, 1985.
The order was issued following reports that courier and parcel services are being misused for transporting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances disguised as ordinary consignments. Such acts constitute grave offences under the NDPS Act, punishable under Sections 8, 21, 22, 23, 25 and 29, among others.
The order states that no courier company, parcel service or logistics operator functioning within District Jammu shall accept, book or transport any narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or other contraband items unless it holds a valid transport permit under the NDPS Rules, 1985 and as per the regulations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The order further directs all courier and parcel companies to strictly verify the identity and credentials of consignors and consignees using valid government-issued identity proof. They must maintain complete records of consignments, including sender and receiver details, parcel description, weight, booking receipt and date of booking. A record of the
DM Jammu issues
mode of payment received, whether in cash, digital, cheque, UPI or card form, along with transaction details wherever applicable, must also be maintained.
All employees engaged in courier or parcel operations, including delivery staff, booking clerks and franchise workers, must undergo local police verification, and an updated register of verified employees should be maintained. Furthermore, courier agencies are required to provide training and sensitisation to employees to help them identify suspicious consignments and report such cases immediately to the nearest police authority.
The order further states that any courier company or agency found violating these directions shall be held personally and legally responsible. Owners, directors, agents and employees involved may face prosecution under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, BNSS and other applicable laws. Penalties may include seizure of consignments, cancellation of licences, fines and criminal sanctions.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, has been entrusted to ensure strict enforcement of the order, conduct inspections and initiate legal action against defaulters.
The order takes immediate effect and will remain in force for eight weeks unless withdrawn earlier. It may also be extended or modified as required. For public awareness, it has been published on the district website, leading newspapers and notice boards of all concerned offices. Any contravention of the order shall attract legal consequences as contemplated under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
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.
