OYO Ends Contract with Noida's Sheetla Hotel Over Illegal Activities, Vows Legal Action

Hospitality tech firm OYO has made the decision to terminate its contract with Sheetla Hotel in Noida following accusations of the property being used for illegal activities. The company has vowed to pursue legal action against both the hotel and the individuals involved to ensure accountability. The police, working alongside the anti-human trafficking unit, recently conducted a raid on the Behlolpur hotel, leading to the apprehension of several people allegedly running a flesh trade racket from the premises, as per OYO's official statement.

Noida Police reports confirm that a raid was indeed conducted at Sheetla Hotel on April 10, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals related to the illicit activities taking place there. During the raid, law enforcement was able to rescue four women and three minors who were being exploited. OYO's internal investigation into the situation, following the initial allegations, revealed that the hotel's conduct had already been inconsistent even prior to these claims coming to light.

Consequently, OYO decided to sever ties with Sheetla Hotel as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting safe and secure hospitality standards. OYO has expressed gratitude to those who brought the allegations to their attention and has encouraged others with information on similar incidents to speak up. The company has reiterated its firm stance against any illegal or immoral activities taking place on its partnered hotel properties and has reaffirmed its close cooperation with Noida Police to ensure a safe environment for visitors.

Pawas Kumar, OYO's head for north India, has confirmed that the organization is implementing stricter monitoring and auditing protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The initiative taken by OYO in November 2023 to advance safe and secure hospitality measures, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, further underscores its commitment to upholding ethical standards within the industry. The joint seminars conducted with police across various cities like Noida, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Meerut, and Bangalore aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders from the hospitality sector, law enforcement agencies, and OYO's network of hotel partners to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.