The Gurgaon police Wednesday issued notices directing resident welfare associations (RWAs), private security companies in housing societies, and hotels to verify the details of tenants, visitors, domestic staff, including helps, drivers, car cleaners, and guards.The notices have been issued under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which deals with the powers and duties of the police to prevent the commission of cognisable offences.One such notice, dated November 12, from Sector 53 Police Station was addressed to the RWA of Suncity in Sector 54, Gurugram. It states that RWAs, private security companies in societies, and hotels in the jurisdiction should operate responsibly, ensuring the safety and well-being of the general public.“You are instructed to collect all details about any visitor or tenant who comes to your society or hotel. Check their Aadhaar card on the M-Aadhaar app, and ensure that all visitors and tenants undergo police verification. If you notice any suspicious object or person, immediately inform the police,” the notice reads.It warns that any violation shall be treated as a breach of notice and attract penal action under the BNSS, and other relevant laws. The directive calls for strict compliance and cooperation with police officials during inspections or enforcement drives.‘Exercise is to keep the public safe’Dr Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), Gurgaon, said the checks are both routine due to upcoming Republic Day preparations as well as heightened this time in view of the high alert across the state after the Delhi Red Fort blast.“We are just ensuring no unauthorised person is staying without necessary verification. No particular State or nationality is being targeted or examined extra; the exercise is to keep the public safe,” said Jain.Story continues below this adInspector Bijender Kumar, Station House Officer, Palam Vihar Police, said such checks are conducted annually, and the cooperation of RWAs is sought for their own security.However, an officer from a police station issuing such a notice said that, as part of the same process, they would also verify visitors and tenants from Jammu and Kashmir, as well as those from abroad.“It is not that everyone who has come from there (J-K) will be a criminal or something, but in view of the high alert and recent events, we are just being very cautious. Rest, we are asking societies to see everyone’s Aadhaar is verified.”‘First of their kind in recent times’A similar notice under the same BNSS section, also dated November 12, was issued by the Palam Vihar Police Station and received by the Residents’ Development & Welfare Association (RDWA) of Sector 23A. The Association, in turn, issued an advisory on the same day to its members.Story continues below this adThe advisory, signed by President Rohit Yadav, lists the following categories for mandatory verification: tenants, servants, maids, drivers, car cleaners, guards, employees in PGs, and employees in offices at its premises. It instructs members to verify Aadhaar validity using the mAadhaar mobile application.Kusum Sharma, RWA chairperson, Suncity, said the present notices seem to be the first of their kind in recent times.“Last time, during the pandemic, they had asked for details of senior citizens. For each visitor, it will be challenging for us to verify their identity, as there are multiple schools and societies within the open township. For commercial properties and domestic staff, we have been conducting regular police verifications over the years,” said Sharma.Bhawani Shankar Tripathy, general secretary, RWA, Sector 23, said theirs is also an open society, not a gated one.Story continues below this ad“Such a notice by the police we are receiving for the first time, at least in recent years.”