Hosur: In a continuing crackdown on illegal immigration, police in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district on the night of July 2 apprehended a family of four Bangladeshi nationals near Hosur for staying in India without valid documentation. This arrest comes amidst escalating concerns over foreign nationals overstaying their visas and residing illegally across the state, prompting the Madras High Court to call for more stringent measures and the Union Home Ministry to consider new legislative action.
The arrested individuals, identified as Basar Mulla (46), his wife Ratna Begum (41), their son Alijadar Mulla (19), and his cousin Jamu Khattam (25), were residing in the Aviapally region of Hosur. Hosur ASP Anil Akashay Wakhare confirmed the arrests to the media, stating, “We conducted an inspection at the location following inputs. We found that Basar Mulla, his wife Ratna Begum, their son Alijadar Mulla, and his cousin Jamu Khattam were living in India illegally.” Investigations revealed that the family had initially migrated to Kolkata in 2003, subsequently moving through various cities including Mumbai and Bangalore before settling in Hosur, where they engaged in the fish selling trade. A case has been registered against them, and they have been remanded in judicial custody.
This incident is not isolated, but rather a snapshot of a much larger issue that has drawn the serious attention of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court, in particular, has expressed significant alarm over the burgeoning numbers of foreign nationals overstaying their visas, with a considerable concentration reported in industrial hubs like Coimbatore and Tirupur.
Alarming Statistics and Judicial Scrutiny
In a recent counter-affidavit filed before the Madras High Court on behalf of the Director General of Police, Chennai Security Branch CID SP N. Stephen Jesupatham revealed concerning figures regarding foreign nationals in Tamil Nadu. From 2022 to May 25, 2025, a total of 237 foreign nationals have been deported from the state. During the same period, 66 cases were registered against 188 foreign nationals found to be overstaying. Beyond simple overstaying, the affidavit highlighted a disturbing trend of criminal activity among some foreign nationals: 14 cases were registered against 31 African nationals for drug trafficking, and a staggering 65 cases were filed against 280 foreign nationals for other various offenses.
The Bureau of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has provided even more sobering data: as of May 25, 2025, a staggering 17,770 foreigners have been overstaying in Tamil Nadu since 2011, with some of them having potentially moved to other states. Both the Tamil Nadu Police and the Bureau of Immigration affirm that consistent efforts are underway to trace these individuals.
The judiciary has not shied away from directly addressing the gravity of the situation. In June of this year, Justice M. Dhandapani of the Madras High Court voiced profound concerns, noting that over 46,000 foreign nationals have overstayed their visas across the state, with at least 20,000 of them concentrated in Coimbatore and Tirupur. The court has taken a proactive stance, directing the Union Home Ministry to consider enacting new laws specifically designed to address and prevent the issue of illegal migrants overstaying their visas.
Justice Dhandapani underscored the potential threats posed by the continued presence of these individuals, particularly when they are involved in illicit activities. He highlighted that many illegal migrants are employed in local industrial units, and their undocumented presence, especially those resorting to petty crimes to prolong their stay, directly impacts the safety and security of the state.
Responding to these concerns, the Madras High Court has issued clear directives to the state police. These include taking immediate steps to identify and deport foreign nationals found to be overstaying their visas, actively tracking their movements, and crucially, establishing special wings in each district dedicated to monitoring the presence and activities of foreign nationals.
The Nexus of Illegal Entry and Forged Documents
The recent arrest of the Bangladeshi family in Hosur underscores a common modus operandi for illegal entry and sustained residency: obtaining forged documents. The family’s journey from Kolkata to Mumbai, Bangalore, and finally Hosur, with a two-decade stay, suggests a well-trodden path for illegal migrants to blend into the vastness of Indian society.
A significant incident in June of this year further illuminated this pattern. Acting on specific intelligence, police in Tirupur district arrested 26 Bangladeshi nationals for illegal entry and stay in India. These individuals were found working in textile and garment units in Tirupur and had been residing in and around Palladam for over five years. What raised particular alarm during document verification was that all 26 possessed Aadhaar cards. Subsequent verification revealed that the addresses on 25 of these Aadhaar cards were from West Bengal, confirming their Bangladeshi nationality. It became evident that they had obtained these Aadhaar cards through forged documents, with some having resided in the area for over a decade. All the arrested individuals had managed to enter India illegally through West Bengal and then traveled by train to Tirupur, securing rented houses by presenting their fraudulent Aadhaar cards as proof of address.
Specific Directives and Vulnerable Population
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued clear directives to states in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, urging them to prepare lists of foreigners residing in their respective states and deport them to their native countries. The directive also mandates the revocation of any existing visas held by these individuals.
Regarding Pakistani nationals, the order specifies the cancellation of all existing valid visas, with exceptions for medical, long-term, diplomatic, and official visas. Medical visas were explicitly valid only until April 29, 2025. Currently, 40 Pakistani nationals are reportedly staying in Tamil Nadu, with 16 holding long-term visas and 24 having applied for long-term visa extensions.
The plight of the Rohingya, a persecuted minority from Myanmar, also presents a unique challenge. A total of 95 Rohingya nationals are reported to be staying in Tamil Nadu. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a revised procedure for the deportation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya Muslims. Illegal Bangladeshi nationals detained across the state are currently lodged in Puzhal Central Prison. Should they be released, they are to be held in special camps pending their deportation.
The ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Madurai-based K.K. Ramesh before the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court underscores the widespread public concern over this issue. On June 28, a division bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete directed the Central government to file its counter-affidavit within three weeks and posted the matter for further hearing. The PIL specifically seeks immediate action against foreign nationals who continue to reside in India even after their visas have expired.
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