Budgam homestay owner booked for concealing stay
Srinagar, Dec 11: A Chinese national who travelled through sensitive areas of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir in violation of visa conditions has been deported to Hong Kong, while police in Budgam have booked a homestay owner for failing to report the stay of a foreign national, officials said on Thursday.
Hu Congtai, 29, was detained last week after authorities detected that he had travelled to Leh on November 20 despite his tourist visa permitting visits only to Buddhist sites in Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya and Kushinagar. He did not register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office counter at the Leh airport, officials said.
An Army unit first raised concerns after noticing unusual online activity linked to the traveller.
A subsequent forensic analysis of his mobile phone showed that he had visited Zanskar and several areas of strategic relevance in Ladakh before flying to Srinagar on December 1.
The digital examination also indicated searches related to paramilitary deployments in the Kashmir Valley and Article 370, an official said.
During his stay in Srinagar, Hu visited Harwan, Awantipora ruins near Victor Force headquarters, Shankaracharya hill, Hazratbal and Mughal Gardens, he said.
Congtai was also found to be using an Indian SIM card and staying at an unregistered guest house.
Following questioning, Hu told investigators he had studied physics in the United States and travelled frequently, claiming he was unaware of the restrictions on his visa.
Authorities blacklisted him after completing their inquiry and sent him to Delhi on December 10 for deportation to Hong Kong, officials added.
Meanwhile, Budgam Police said they have registered a case against the management of a homestay in Friends Enclave, Humhama, for housing a foreign national without the mandatory Form C reporting.
The establishment, Rose Cottage, was also found to be operating without registration from the Tourism Department, police said.
A case under Sections 8 and 23(b) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, has been registered at Police Station Budgam.
Police have advised hotels, homestays, guest houses and individuals renting rooms to ensure the timely submission of Form C on the designated portal and comply with all legal requirements for hosting foreign nationals—(KNO)
