The Delhi Police have identified 175 individuals suspected of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants during a verification drive, officials confirmed on Sunday. The operation, conducted in outer Delhi, is part of a larger initiative to address undocumented immigrants residing in the national capital.
The 12-hour drive commenced at 6 PM on Saturday, focusing on slums and high-density areas. “Police have intensified efforts to identify and detain individuals residing without valid documentation. As part of the ongoing operations, 175 individuals have been identified as suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants during extensive verification drives in outer Delhi,” a senior police officer said.
This verification effort follows an order from the LG Secretariat on December 11, directing authorities to launch a crackdown on undocumented Bangladeshi nationals. “Concerned about the growing number of undocumented immigrants, the Outer District Police has launched a series of targeted operations and joint checks in various areas under its jurisdiction,” the officer added.
Door-to-Door Scrutiny and Intelligence Gathering
To ensure thorough verification, the police deployed special teams, including personnel from local stations, district foreigner cells, and specialized units. These teams conducted door-to-door checks, scrutinized documents, and interrogated individuals to verify their identities. Verification extended beyond Delhi, with coordination efforts involving local police in the identified individuals’ native regions.
“These operations involved a detailed examination of voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, and other documents. Police teams were dispatched to authenticate the origins of these individuals,” the officer explained.
Recent Arrests of Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants and Broader Impact
On December 13, Delhi Police revealed that two illegal Bangladeshi immigrants had been apprehended and over 1,000 others identified during similar operations. Deputy Commissioner of Police Ravi Kumar Singh stated that individuals were found residing in areas like Kalindi Kunj and Hazrat Nizamuddin without valid documentation.
Two suspects, Abdul Ahad and Mohammad Azizul, were arrested on December 10 and 12, respectively. Ahad, from Sylhet, Bangladesh, confessed during interrogation that he entered Delhi on December 6 through a Bangladeshi agent in search of work. Azizul, a Dhaka resident, admitted to crossing the Benapole border in 2004 via West Bengal, where he remained in India ever since. Both individuals were handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for deportation proceedings.
Shahdara police, on December 12, identified 32 additional individuals during their operations. Across 15 districts of Delhi, police teams are visiting areas such as Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Nagar, and Kalindi Kunj, where verification checks include voter ID and Aadhaar card authentication to identify undocumented immigrants.
Special Drive Underway
The verification drive is part of a two-month-long special initiative launched under the directive of the Delhi LG Secretariat. The operation involves cross-verifying data with FRRO and individually verifying the authenticity of Aadhaar cards. Police sources disclosed that over 1,500 suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been identified citywide since the drive began.
Officials emphasized that the crackdown aims to ensure the repatriation of individuals living in Delhi without valid legal documentation. “This is an ongoing effort to maintain law and order in the national capital,” a senior officer said.
The Delhi Police’s verification drives and subsequent apprehensions highlight the city’s intensified focus on addressing illegal immigration, in line with administrative directives and security priorities.