Police question Chinese national for second day, as low-budget homestays come under scanner in Srinagar

As a Chinese national was questioned after being held in a low-budget hotel in Srinagar following a suspicious digital footprint, the J&K Police on Monday (December 8, 2025) lodged several First Information Reports (FIRs) against hotels, homestays and houseboats for violating the Immigration & Foreigners Act.

Hu Congtai, 29, a Chinese citizen and a Physics graduate from Boston University, “was being questioned” at the Humhama Police Station after he was picked up from a low-budget homestay at Friends Colony, Budgam, a senior police official told The Hindu. The homestay is close to the Srinagar airport. 

Security agencies were following his digital footprint in Kashmir and Ladakh, where he toured recently. He had managed to procure a SIM card, “which is being investigated”, officials said. The mobile phone of the Chinese national “has been sent for a forensic examination”.

Officials said Mr. Hu has watched and read a number of movies and books on Kashmir, which include the movie ‘Article 370’ and book ‘Curfewed Night’.

Security agencies were first alerted to his movement that included Shankaracharya hills, Hazratbal shrine, Mughal Gardens, Harwan Buddhist site and ruins at Awantipura ruins in south Kashmir. 

Mr. Hu was being tracked by the security agencies since he ventured into the Zanskar valley of Ladakh in violation of his limited visa on November 25. In Ladakh, which borders China, he stayed in Zanskar’s picturesque Zangla, a traditional route of trekking into Himachal Pradesh from Ladakh.  

Before travelling to Ladakh and Kashmir, Mr. Hu also visited Varanasi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, Sarnath, Gaya and Kushinagar, officials said. He arrived in India on November 19, 2025, on a tourist visa. Officials said Mr. Hu seemed “keen to visit Buddhist sites”. His visa remains valid till December 30, 2025.

Meanwhile, the J&K Police have launched a major check on hotels, homestays and houseboats hosting foreign nationals in Kashmir. 

At least five FIRs were lodged under the Immigration & Foreigners Act against the owners who failed to submit mandatory Form-C to the authorities concerned.

“It was found that hotels had allowed foreign nationals to check in without submitting Form-C to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). Further investigation into the cases is underway to uncover forward and backward linkages,” the police said.

The police urged the owners to “strictly comply with Form-C submission norms when accommodating foreign nationals”. “Non-compliance of the same is a serious offence and will invite strict legal action,” the police said.