Mumbai News: Police Arrests 17 Bangladeshis Residing Illegally; Immigrants Were Involved In Document Fraud And Prostitution

Mumbai: The Mumbai police have arrested 17 Bangladeshi nationals for unlawfully residing in India after they were unable to prove their Indian citizenship. The arrests were conducted by the Shivajinagar and RCF police, who are now engaged in further investigations. On March 24, 2025, acting on confidential information, a team from Shivajinagar Police Station apprehended eight suspects in a trap operation.

The Bangladeshi's have been charged under various sections of the Pass (Entry into India) Rules 1950 and the Foreign Nationals Act 1946. The following day, RCF police detained nine additional individuals, including four men and five women, also confirmed to be Bangladeshi nationals.

Legal action has been initiated against these individuals for residing in India without proper documentation, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full details of their stay and activities. The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently called for a comprehensive investigation into the cases of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. A senior officer disclosed that all states and Union Territories have been instructed to treat these cases as umbrella investigations and to identify those assisting illegal immigrants in obtaining documentation.

It has been discovered that some documents were fabricated for travel purposes to Europe or the Middle East, and that the individuals did not reside long in India. Investigative officers have been tasked with pinpointing those who aided illegal immigrants in document generation, rendering them defendants in the case. All suspicious Aadhaar cards have been sent for re-verification.

Aadhaar officials have been directed to alert the police when individuals attempt to modify or produce Aadhaar with questionable documentation. Confirmed illegal Bangladeshi nationals will be confined in detention centers and the FRRO will facilitate their repatriation following protocols.

The Shivaji Nagar police in Govandi have apprehended eight Bangladeshi nationals, all identifying as transgenders, for allegedly living illegally in India for over five years. Residing in Rafiq Nagar, Shivaji Nagar, these individuals were reportedly working as performers and became embroiled in prostitution, cheating, and defrauding others.

Their activities primarily took place at Chedda Nagar Junction and along Sion-Panvel Road near Vashi Naka, mostly during nighttime. Victims of their scams often refrained from reporting incidents due to social stigmas associated with such crimes, with complaints stating that the accused would lure customers under the pretense of companionship and then rob them.

Police investigations revealed that the accused had entered India illegally with the assistance of an agent, who has since been arrested by Vikhroli police.

This agent disclosed that over 120 individuals were smuggled into various cities in India, with many settling in Mumbai for better opportunities.

The arrests were prompted by a tip-off received by the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC) regarding illegal residents in the area. Led by Assistant Police Inspector Vikrant Shinde, the operation was conducted during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting known settlements and bars, resulting in the apprehension of the eight individuals.