Delhi Police have apprehended 121 suspected Bangladeshi nationals in a week-long operation targeting undocumented migrants in the capital. The detainees, who crossed the India-Bangladesh border illegally several years ago, were found residing in Delhi’s outer north district, working primarily as ragpickers or in low-wage odd jobs. All 121 individuals have been sent to a detention centre pending deportation, authorities confirmed.
The operation, conducted under the supervision of Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ravindra Singh Yadav, was spearheaded by the Outer North District Police. A dedicated task force was formed to investigate and execute the crackdown, focusing on areas with reported concentrations of suspected illegal immigrants, including Alipur, Bawana, Narela, Samaypur Badli, Swaroop Nagar, Bhalswa Dairy, and Shahbad Dairy.
Extensive Document Verification Uncovers Violations
During the drive, police scrutinised the documents of 831 individuals suspected of being Bangladeshi nationals. After thorough verification, authorities confirmed that 121 of them had been residing in India illegally for at least three years. According to police, deportation orders for these individuals have already been issued through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
In a related development, five Indian citizens were detained for allegedly providing accommodation to the suspected immigrants on rent. These individuals are currently under interrogation to ascertain their involvement in facilitating the illegal stay of foreign nationals. Police are probing whether they knowingly aided the immigrants or were complicit in a larger network.
Forged Documents and Utility Connections Raise Concerns
A significant aspect of the investigation centres on how the suspected illegal immigrants obtained Indian identification documents, including Aadhaar cards and ration cards. Authorities have launched a multi-agency probe to verify the authenticity of these documents and identify potential lapses or official complicity in their issuance. Letters have been sent to relevant government departments to assist in this process.
In a surprising revelation, police discovered that some of the detained immigrants had secured electricity connections in their names. “We are now investigating how these connections were sanctioned and whether forged documents were used to obtain them,” a senior police official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity.
This finding has raised concerns about systemic vulnerabilities that may have been exploited by the immigrants or their facilitators.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 336(2) for forgery, Section 340(2) for the use of forged documents or electronic records, and Section 61(2) for criminal conspiracy. Additionally, charges have been filed under Sections 14 and 14C of the Foreigners Act, 1946, which address violations related to illegal entry and stay in India.
These legal provisions will guide the investigation into what police suspect is a larger syndicate responsible for enabling the entry and prolonged stay of illegal immigrants in India. “We believe there is an organised racket involved in producing and distributing forged Indian documents to foreign nationals,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Nidhin Valsan. “Our special investigation team is working tirelessly to identify and dismantle this network.”
DCP Valsan confirmed that the operation is ongoing, with police teams continuing to monitor and verify the status of other suspected illegal immigrants in the region.
This operation comes amid heightened scrutiny of border security and immigration enforcement in India.
