In a significant escalation of efforts against illegal immigration, Mumbai authorities have deported more than 1,000 Bangladeshi nationals during the current year, marking a dramatic increase compared to previous years.
Sharp Rise in Deportation Numbers
Official data reveals that 1,001 Bangladeshi nationals have been deported from Mumbai till November 17, 2025, representing an extraordinary surge in enforcement actions. This figure exceeds last year's deportation count by more than six times and is over sixteen times higher than the 2023 numbers.
The statistics show a clear pattern of intensifying enforcement. In 2023, Mumbai police arrested 371 illegal Bangladeshi nationals but deported only 60 individuals. The following year saw 304 arrests with 160 deportations. The current year's tally of 1,001 deportations across 401 registered cases demonstrates a substantial policy shift.
Changed Strategy in Handling Illegal Immigrants
According to police officials, the approach to dealing with illegal Bangladeshi immigrants has undergone significant transformation. In some instances, the police continue traditional methods of registering FIRs and seeking court permission for deportation. However, authorities are increasingly utilizing special legal provisions that allow direct deportation without formal court proceedings in every case.
A senior police officer explained the operational details: "Once our informants alert us about suspicious individuals at construction sites across the city, we summon them to the police station for verification". The deportation process involves multiple stages, with immigrants from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region initially transported to Pune before being moved to the Assam-Bangladesh border via special Indian Air Force aircraft.
Key Incidents Driving the Crackdown
The intensified crackdown gained momentum following a high-profile incident involving Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national who allegedly attacked Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence on January 16 this year. Investigation revealed that Shariful possessed a duplicate Aadhaar card with his photograph and an Indian SIM card, both allegedly obtained through illegal means.
This case highlighted security concerns associated with undocumented immigrants and accelerated enforcement actions. The deportation drive officially commenced in February 2025 when the first group of 12 individuals was returned across the border.
The current operations align with directions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has instructed security forces nationwide to prioritize the deportation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The coordinated effort represents one of the most substantial immigration enforcement actions in recent Mumbai history.
