How Mumbai Police managed a six-fold jump in deporting illegal Bangladeshis in 2025

Sources said that since early 2025, procedures followed in dealing with illegal migrants across the country have undergone a major change as mandated by the Centre. Earlier, police would register an FIR, and the case would go to trial, a process that often dragged on for years. Now, instead of filing FIRs, immigration units such as the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) have been authorised to conduct enquiries when police identify a suspected illegal migrant.

“The police action has gone up as now drives are being carried out much more frequently. Post Operation Sindoor there has been greater emphasis on this. Also, the issue came into the spotlight after the accused who attacked actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence turned out to be a Bangladeshi national,” an official said.

Once police establish that a person is using fake documents and is a Bangladeshi national, they are produced before the FRRO. “The FRRO, if satisfied, can approve those found to be sent to Bangladesh. If the person appeals the finding and seeks time to produce documentation to support his claim, an FIR can be registered and the matter goes to court,” an official said.

“In several cases, those who do not oppose the findings or may not be in a position to appeal, FRRO passes a restriction order following which they are then kept in police stations till the time travel can be arranged. In the future, they may be kept at the detention centres being built before they are deported,” the official added.

A police inspector said personnel take a humane approach while dealing with detainees. “They are not kept in a lock-up but one of the rooms in the police station like the one used by women officers. Some of the women have children as well. We ensure they are provided with proper washrooms, milk and biscuits for children and proper food packets,” the inspector said.

Initially, deportees were flown from Pune in Indian Air Force aircraft, but many are now transported by train to the India-Bangladesh border. “We ensure that if they are being taken to the border in train, to tell the pantry car operator on the train to provide food during the two-day journey,” the officer said.

Once they reach the border, either in Assam or West Bengal, they are “pushed back” by the forces, an official said. “Thus, within a manner of a month, the process is carried out as against years taken earlier,” the official added.

Responding to concerns of wrongful deportation, an issue reported in some parts of the country, the official said, “So far, not a single person sent by Mumbai Police has turned out to be an Indian. A rare case or two have happened in other jurisdictions,” the official added.