FEHD smashes private columbarium in Hung Hom suspected of renting out niches without licence
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The operator of private columbarium in this case is suspected to rent out niches without holding a licence under the Private Columbaria Ordinance.
The Court has issued a search warrant to PCAO officers to authorise them to search the captioned premises. During the operation, PCAO officers seized a number of exhibits and arrested two men. Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing.
Under the Ordinance, any person who operates, keeps, manages or in any other way has control of a columbarium and sells or newly let out niches in the grace period, otherwise than under a licence commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for three years; or on conviction on indictment to a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for seven years.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "This department will continue to take stringent enforcement action against illegally operated private columbaria. Members of the public should not buy or rent niches from any unlicensed private columbaria.
If members of the public detect any activities of illegally operating a private columbarium, they should immediately report to the FEHD by calling hotline 2868 0000."
Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:59
Issued at HKT 19:59
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