Karnataka High Court Issues Safety Guidelines for Bengaluru PG Accommodations

The Karnataka High Court has issued a set of guidelines for the regulation, inspection and safety of private paying guest (PG) accommodations in Bengaluru, directing authorities to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and the protection of the rights and safety of occupants.Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued the directions in a September 10 ruling, while considering a case concerning the regulation of paying guest accommodations.Justice Suraj GovindrajThe Court has also directed the authorities to submit a consolidated protocol within six weeks covering applicable requirements, enforcement responsibilities, inspection methodology and consequences of non-compliance.During the hearing, counsel for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Greater Banaglore Authority (GBA) informed the Court that notices had been issued to 68 paying guest accommodations in Bengaluru North.The Court was also informed that approximately 5,000 paying guest accommodations operate in Bengaluru East, of which nearly 2,500 were allegedly being run without proper licences, sanctioned plans or adequate fire safety arrangements.The authorities stated that cases would be filed before competent civil courts against illegal PG accommodations, wherever necessary, following an opportunity of hearing to the concerned establishments.Taking note of the seriousness of the matter and the number of people residing in paying guest accommodations, the Court issued guidelines covering the follo