PG owner has kept my luggage, which has my laptop, mobile, camera and educational degrees and asking for illegal payments.

Dear Client, 

It is advised that you immediately approach the nearest Police Station and get a proper FIR registered for assault, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint and theft rather than a mere NC complaint. You should also preserve all the evidence, including but not limited to medical records/bills, whatsapp chats, photographs (if any), call recordings and proof of ownership of items confiscated illegally. Kindly be informed that the PG owner cannot detain or sell your belongings legally merely because of a rent or notice period dispute, and such acts will amount to criminal liability. You can send a legal notice requiring the immediate release of your personal items confiscated by the owner. If the police fails to act then you can also approach the jurisdictional Magistrate and seek directions for registering a FIR under section 175(3) BNSS. 

I hope this helps and if you have any further issues do not hesitate to contact us. 

Dear Client,

On your question regarding the physical attack, the physical attack you had to face from PG owner’s boyfriend and others on March 2, 2026 is a cognizable offence under sections 115 and 117 of BNS and not only an NC offence.

I will advise you to approach the superintendent of police or deputy commissioner of police with a written application demanding that a proper FIR be registered against the assailants. If they still refuse, approach the concerned Magistrate under section 175 BNSS seeking a direction to the police to register the FIR. I will also advise you to get your injuries medically documented immediately even now, any residual marks or medical records from around that date are relevant.

About the retention of your luggage, laptop, and clothes, although there is no direct section under the BNS, this amounts to criminal breach of trust under section 316. The owner has absolutely no legal right to retain your personal belongings even if there is a genuine money dispute regarding the notice period, one party cannot unilaterally seize another's property as leverage.

I will advise you to file a specific complaint about the wrongful retention of your belongings. Simultaneously, file a civil application for recovery of your property if the criminal complaint does not yield results quickly.

In regard to the amount of money demanded within a month's notice period, it is recommended that you consult your PG contract thoroughly to see if there is such a clause regarding a notice period. However, the owner's conduct which involved assaulting you and then detaining your property is a fundamental breach of the PG arrangement that effectively negates any contractual claim he may have against you. No court would enforce a penalty clause in favour of a party who assaulted the other party and detained their property.

I hope this helps, and if you have any further issues, do not hesitate to contact us.