An Erode district court has delivered a stern verdict, sentencing eighteen Bangladeshi nationals to two years of rigorous imprisonment for residing illegally in India. The judgment, pronounced by Principal District and Sessions Judge S Sameena on Thursday, brings closure to a case involving individuals who had entered the country over a decade and a half ago.
Police Crackdown and Arrest Details
The legal proceedings stemmed from two major police operations in the Perundurai region. The first arrest occurred on April 23, when the Perundurai police apprehended seven individuals. They were identified as Idrees Ali (20), Shanatha (37), Mohin Mia (34), Mohammed Fahim Hussain (24), Mohammed Farooq Hussain (31), Mohammed Bilal Hussain (27), and Harshad (33). Investigations revealed they were staying in Panickampalayam within Perundurai.
Following leads, the police conducted another raid on February 15, leading to the arrest of eleven more Bangladeshi nationals from the same area. This brought the total number of accused to eighteen.
Long-Term Illegal Residence and Fake Documents
According to Perundurai Police Inspector Deiva Rani, the group had entered India approximately 15 years ago. During their long-term illegal stay, they were engaged in manual labor, primarily finding work in the construction and welding sectors across Perundurai, Ingur, and Chennimalai areas.
A significant finding of the investigation was the use of forged identification documents. Four of the convicted individuals were found to be in possession of fake Aadhaar cards, which they likely used to blend into the local populace and access services.
Court Verdict and Legal Implications
After reviewing the evidence, the Erode district court found all eighteen accused guilty under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act for their illegal stay in the country. Judge S Sameena's verdict of a two-year prison term underscores the legal consequences of violating India's immigration laws.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies in Tamil Nadu to identify and prosecute individuals residing in the country without valid documentation. The use of fake national identity documents like the Aadhaar card adds a serious layer of fraud to the primary immigration offense.
