Pune Police Book Managers of JW Marriott and Sheraton Grand for Flouting Foreigner Reporting Norms
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 5th September 2026: In a major crackdown on non-compliance with national immigration protocols, the Pune City Police have registered criminal cases against the managers of two prominent five-star luxury hotels—JW Marriott on Senapati Bapat Road and Sheraton Grand in Sangamwadi—for egregious delays in reporting the stay of foreign guests to authorities.
The First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered on Friday, September 4, 2026, following formal complaints by officials from the Foreigners and Prosecution Cell of the Pune Police Special Branch. Both establishments have been booked under provisions of the newly enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
39-Day Delay in Reporting Italian Guest at JW Marriott
According to the FIR registered at Chatushrungi Police Station (FIR No. 414/2026), Italian national Christian Huber (holder of passport number YD 2533907) checked into the JW Marriott Hotel on Senapati Bapat Road on June 7, 2026, at 7:07 PM.
Under statutory foreigner registration rules, hoteliers and commercial lodging establishments are legally bound to submit foreign guests’ arrival and travel details (Form-C / Form-3) to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and local police within 24 hours of arrival.
However, JW Marriott’s management submitted Huber’s information only on July 17, 2026, at 6:52 AM—causing an unexplained delay of 39 days and 11 hours (947 hours).
Following a probe by the Special Branch, Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Vishal Dayanand Borde lodged a complaint, leading to the hotel manager being booked under Section 23(d) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Police Sub-Inspector Snehal Patil is leading the investigation under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Uttam Bhajanawale.
Chinese National’s Stay Reported After Two-Week Delay at Sheraton Grand
In a parallel development, Bundgarden Police booked the manager of Hotel Sheraton Grand, situated near Raja Bahadur Mill in Sangamwadi (FIR No. 228/2026).
The case involves Chinese national Qi Luo (holder of passport number EN9372872), who checked into the hotel on June 14, 2026, at 7:29 PM. The hotel authorities failed to submit his mandatory arrival report within the prescribed 24-hour window, eventually uploading the data on June 28, 2026, at 9:18 PM. The delay amounted to 14 days and 01 hour (337 hours).
Police Constable Ashwini Balasaheb Dhamne of the Special Branch filed the complaint, charging the manager under Section 23(b) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Police Sub-Inspector Dhumal of Bundgarden Police Station is investigating the matter.
Tightening Vigilance Over Foreign Guests
Police officials reiterated that prompt submission of Form-C/Form-3 is an indispensable national security requirement designed to track foreign nationals, monitor visa compliance, and prevent illegal overstays.
Authorities stated that hoteliers cannot bypass these regulations under the guise of administrative oversight, warning that strict legal action will follow against any accommodation provider failing to notify the police within the statutory 24-hour timeline.
