Karnataka Introduces Mandatory Police Verification for Homestays

The Karnataka government has introduced new measures to enhance safety and security for tourists, particularly at homestays and bed-and-breakfast properties, following a recent incident of sexual assault on a U.S. tourist at a Kodagu homestay. The government has made police verification of staff mandatory for all homestays and bed-and-breakfast properties, and travellers will be able to check whether a property is registered with local authorities before checking in.

The new rules require all registered properties to be linked to the Karnataka Police Smart E-Beat system, allowing beat constables to make regular visits, verify guest records, and log their inspections through GPS-based tracking. District administrations have been told to form joint inspection teams with police and tourism officials to carry out surprise checks and identify unregistered properties operating illegally.

The government plans to strengthen emergency response by linking registered properties directly to the 112 system, allowing distress calls from these locations to be treated as priority tourist emergencies for quicker police response. Property owners must keep staff background verification records ready for inspection by police or tourism officials.

The Tourism Department will publish and regularly update an online list of all registered homestays and bed-and-breakfast properties in Karnataka for tourists to check, and travel agents, tour operators, and online booking platforms have been told to work only with registered properties. The Deputy Commissioners, tourism officials, Police, and Women and Child Development departments have been directed to co-ordinate and implement the new rules, and submit a compliance report to the Tourism Department by May 15.

The court has not been involved in this case, but the Karnataka government will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary. The Tourism Department will review the compliance reports and take action against non-compliant properties.