New Delhi: Delhi Police have apprehended five Bangladeshi nationals for allegedly remaining in India beyond the validity of their visas, officials said on Friday. The operation was carried out by personnel from Mukherjee Nagar Police Station as part of an ongoing campaign against illegal immigration and foreign nationals overstaying their permitted period of stay.
The case came to light after police received information about a dispute involving two groups in the Mukherjee Nagar area. During the incident, two individuals were reportedly heard speaking in Bangla, prompting local residents to question their identity and alert the authorities.
Following the tip-off, a special verification team was formed under the supervision of senior police officials. Officers were tasked with confirming the identities, residential details, and legal status of the suspected individuals residing in the locality.
Acting on the information, police located and questioned the two men. During the enquiry, investigators discovered that they were living in a rented accommodation in Indira Vikas Colony along with three other Bangladeshi nationals. Subsequent verification established that all five individuals were citizens of Bangladesh.
According to the investigation, the group had entered India on different dates through legal air routes. Police said they had reportedly intended to travel onward to Greece in search of employment opportunities. However, after arriving in Delhi, they allegedly remained in the city while waiting for job-related communication and continued residing in India even after their visas had expired.
The individuals were identified as Rahmat Ullah (23), Mohd Ashraful (23), Salman Bhuiyan (25), Md Rashel (37), and Md Rahim Mia (33). All of them are residents of the Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh.
During questioning, authorities learned that the group had initially stayed in various hotels across Delhi. After their visa validity ended, they allegedly shifted to rented accommodation in Mukherjee Nagar with assistance from a man identified as Ganpati Biswas, who is stated to be a resident of Malda in West Bengal.
Police said the investigation clearly indicated that the five foreign nationals had remained in India without valid immigration authorisation after the expiry of their visas. Efforts are now underway to locate and question the alleged facilitator to determine his role in the matter.
Legal proceedings have been initiated under the relevant provisions governing foreign nationals and immigration compliance. The apprehended individuals were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which has commenced the necessary deportation formalities.
Officials said further investigation is in progress and additional action will be taken based on the findings of the enquiry.