33 suspected Bangladeshis detained during verification drive in Bengaluru labour colonies

“Environmental violations and illegal power tapping were noticed during the inspection,” a senior police officer said.

The police later released some of the detainees after verifying that they possessed valid documents, though the exact number of those released is yet to be confirmed.

Five FIRs registered

The Hebbagodi police registered five FIRs between January 4 and 10 and carried out door-to-door verification using mobile-based identification tools. Landlords who allegedly permitted migrant labourers engaged in garbage segregation to construct unauthorised sheds and houses on their land have also been booked, the police said.

Following the police action, landlords issued notices to occupants and began demolishing unauthorised structures using bulldozers.

Several residents of the colonies, however, denied the allegations and claimed they were Indian nationals from West Bengal. Some said their documents had been verified by the jurisdictional police in West Bengal. The Bengaluru police stated that several of the documents produced were forged. Citing one instance, an officer said a woman who claimed to be from Assam was unable to speak Assamese.

According to the police, cases have been registered under sections 279 (fouling water of a public spring or reservoir), 280 (making the atmosphere noxious to health) 125 (acts endangering life or personal safety of others) and 279 (fouling water of public spring or reservoir) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and under section 135 (theft of electricity) of the Karnataka Electricity Act.

M Narayana, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Electronic City division, said the verification drive would continue and that those found to be illegal immigrants would be deported after due process.

Migrant woman booked after viral video

Meanwhile, the Hebbagodi police registered an FIR against a migrant woman labourer who was allegedly caught on camera shouting “Jai Bangla” slogans during an argument with local residents in Podu village of Jigani. The altercation reportedly began after residents demanded that she chant “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, following which she complied eventually.

The video went viral on social media, prompting the police to trace and book her under BNS provisions relating to unlawful assembly, giving false information, making statements intended to cause public mischief, and obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duty.

Further investigation is underway, the police said.