Dwarka district in Delhi has emerged as a hotspot for foreign nationals overstaying visas and engaging in illegal activities, with Mohan Garden identified as their preferred locality. Among those deported in a recent crackdown were several Bangladeshis, highlighting their significant presence among illegal immigrants in the area. In total, the Delhi Police deported 41 such individuals in the first three months of 2025, underscoring a growing challenge in urban immigration enforcement.
Mohan Garden: A preferred base for overstaying foreigners
Mohan Garden in Dwarka has become a magnet for illegal foreigners due to its strategic location and affordable living arrangements. Easy access to public transport, including buses and the metro, along with a thriving rental market, makes it an ideal location for those seeking to stay under the radar. Many locals rent out multi-storey buildings, often with little to no background checks, allowing these individuals to settle in densely populated lanes with anonymity.
Sharp Rise in Deportations
According to Dwarka DCP Ankit Singh, between January and March 2025, the police have deported 41 foreign nationals. The majority were Nigerian citizens (29), followed by Bangladeshi (7), and individuals from Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Ghana, and Guyana. The group included three women and two children. This builds on a larger campaign — in 2024, 132 foreign nationals were deported from the district, including 116 Nigerians.
Nationalities Involved and Nature of Illegal Activities
Nigerian citizens continue to top the list of those caught overstaying and engaging in criminal activities, particularly drug smuggling involving substances like cocaine and heroin. Other nationalities involved include individuals from Uzbekistan, Uganda, Ghana, Guyana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. Many had initially arrived in India on tourist, medical, or educational visas, but chose to stay illegally after expiry and became part of underground criminal networks.
Crackdown Led by Anti-Narcotics Unit
To combat this issue, the district police has intensified its operations through the anti-narcotics cell of the Operation Cell. Under the leadership of ACP Operations Ram Avtar and Inspector Subhash Chand, targeted raids and identification drives have been carried out. Of the 15 foreigners deported in March 2025, 11 were apprehended by this dedicated team. The unit not only focuses on deportation but also pursues legal action against those involved in drug trafficking.
Other Affected Areas
Besides Mohan Garden, areas like Chandra Vihar, Uttam Nagar, Bindapur, and Mahavir Nagar have also seen a spike in illegal foreign occupancy. Similar to Mohan Garden, these areas offer cheap rentals and are poorly regulated, making them ideal shelters for overstaying individuals.
The trend of foreigners overstaying their visas poses broader questions around national security, urban governance, and immigration policy. With reports of such individuals participating in organised crime and disrupting local harmony, law enforcement agencies are being pushed to ramp up surveillance and coordination with central authorities for quicker action and stricter enforcement.
