Detention centre for foreign nationals overstaying visa to come up at Parel

According to Mumbai police officials, the proposed detention centre will come up in a building at Bhoiwada area of Parel, next to the police station. The proposal is in the final phase as the Public Works Departments (PWD) has sent a quotation of over Rs 5 crore to the home department to restructure the building to house the detention centre.

“A structure is ready that is ground plus two storeys but we will have to renovate the whole premises as per the mandate of the Foreigners Act set by the Ministry of Home Affairs,” said an officer.

The building has 30 rooms, of which 18 are occupied by the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad, 10 are with the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and two with the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF).

“Once the proposal is passed, the relevant authorities will be asked to vacate the building and alternate offices shall be provided to them, following which the PWD will start the renovation work,” the officer added.

At present, there is no such facility in Mumbai or anywhere else in the state, said another officer adding that a detention centre is necessary because in many cases the one who are found overstaying or violating visa norms are not criminal and they cannot be lodged in jail.

When asked about where such deportation cases are detained at present, a police officer said, “It depends from person to person, as in some cases we serve them notices and ask them to report to the police station everyday. Or we detain them in the police station till the deportation formality is complete and they are sent back. If the person is extremely notorious and does not obey the guidelines issued to them, then we register a case against them under The Foreigners Act.”

The proposed detention centre, which can house around 150 detained foreign nationals, will have a library, school, gym, two television sets, five carrom boards, five chess boards and four volleyballs along with its net, authorities said.

While the PWD will restructure the whole drainage system, RCC compound, flooring, toilets and intercom service in the building. Appropriate furniture in every room, dining facility and safety nets shall also be installed.

The detention centre will be provided security by the Maharashtra Security Force (MSF).

“A detention centre is not a jail and jail staff will not be deployed there. Only those who are found overstaying their visas shall be detained and will be kept there till the violator is deported back to his/her country,” said an IPS officer.

The authorities have also decided to allot a room for a private meeting between the consulate of the respective country and the detainee.

“For the renovation, the PWD has quoted around Rs 5.11 crore, while the police department will spend Rs 29 lakh extra for the electricity supply to the centre,” said an official.

The detention centre will be overlooked by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch II) because it also deals with issues related to documents of foreign nationals. The DCP’s office will be in contact with the consulates of the respective countries, complete all the formalities and ensure that the detainees are deported back to their countries.