Mumbai: Mumbai is witnessing heightened police operations against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in response to growing political instability in Bangladesh and rising attacks on Hindus there. The situation has triggered a surge of illegal infiltration into India, with the Mumbai Police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arresting a significant number of Bangladeshi nationals residing unlawfully in various parts of the city.
Mumbai Police Takes Action
According to official reports, Mumbai Police arrested approximately 90 Bangladeshi nationals and registered 60 cases in the first 15 days of January 2025. One notable arrest involved Mohammad Idris Sheikh, alias Joshimuddin Bishu Diwan, who had been living in Mumbai since 1994. His arrest from Charni Road led to the discovery of a ‘rate chart’ detailing payments made to agents facilitating illegal entry into India.
Investigations revealed a comprehensive network of agents operating from Bangladesh to various Indian states. The cost of securing illegal entry, obtaining fake identification, and finding employment in India was pegged at a mere ₹25,000. The inquiry further highlighted that routes chosen for infiltration varied by risk level, directly influencing the fee charged by agents.
Risk-Based Route (Donkey Route) Pricing:
1. Land Route (West Bengal): The safest and most expensive route, costing ₹20,000 per person. Agents guarantee a 100% safe crossing, making this the preferred choice.
2. Mountainous Path: A riskier option priced at ₹8,000 per person due to difficult terrain.
3. Waterways (Rivers): The cheapest route, costing only ₹4,000, but fraught with dangers such as crocodile and tiger attacks.
Once inside India, a secondary network facilitates the creation of fake birth certificates and Aadhaar cards for a nominal fee of ₹2,000. With these forged documents, infiltrators gain unrestricted mobility across the country. Agents further assist them in boarding trains from Bengal to Mumbai, coordinating their arrival with local contacts who arrange accommodation and jobs for a commission of ₹3,000.
Mumbai’s Crime Branch disclosed that safe heavens like Govandi, Mankhurd, Shivajinagar, and Malvani are hotspots where Bangladeshis are settled to avoid suspicion. The majority of infiltrations occur through border regions in Malda, Murshidabad, and 24 Parganas in West Bengal, with additional crossings from Dinajpur and Chapai Nawabganj. Agents exploit foggy nights to avoid detection by the Border Security Force (BSF).
Legal Loopholes and Prolonged Stay : A senior officer noted that Bangladeshi nationals are unafraid of legal action as pending cases delay deportation. Once granted bail, they resume living under the radar. Between 2021 and 2025, Mumbai Police arrested 1,027 Bangladeshis. However, deportation processes have concluded for only 222 infiltrators in the last three years.
Year Cases Registered Arrest
2021 96 118
2022 105 139
2023 223 376
2024 216 304
2025 60 90