Bengaluru Resident's Struggle to Prove Indian Identity Amid Legal Confusion
In a perplexing case that underscores the challenges of identity verification in India, Rafiqul Biswas, a 32-year-old resident of Bengaluru, finds himself embroiled in a legal battle to prove he is not a Bangladeshi national. His lawyers have presented documents from West Bengal authorities certifying him as a native of the state, yet the Karnataka High Court has raised doubts about the authenticity of papers produced by Karnataka officials. Despite this, the case against Biswas continues, casting a shadow over his life and livelihood.
Health Crises and Emotional Toll on the Family
The ordeal has taken a severe toll on Biswas, who has experienced back-to-back cardiac episodes over the past four months, attributed by his family to the immense stress of the situation. In a desperate attempt to assert his Indian identity, he even recited the national anthem before detaining authorities. His teenage daughter, who spent days outside the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru during his detention, emphatically states, "My father is not Bangladeshi. He is from West Bengal. We were born here." The family's troubles began in September 2025 when Bandepalya police arrived at their home in southeast Bengaluru, detaining Biswas on allegations of being a Bangladeshi national.
Legal and Human Rights Interventions
Police presented a birth certificate and identity document with Biswas's photograph, labeling him as Bangladeshi. His wife, who alleges that officers sought a bribe to resolve the matter, moved the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). Sources indicate the family appeared before the commission, and after Biswas suffered a heart attack during detention, he was released on medical grounds in December. R Kaleem Ullah, national vice-president of the All-India Shramik Swaraj Kendra, an NGO assisting informal-sector workers, recounts how Biswas's wife sought their help, leading to representations that secured his release. The NGO then approached West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's office, which verified Biswas's background through the Nadia Superintendent of Police and the West Bengal Migrant Workers' Board, confirming his origins in the state.
Court Proceedings and Government Stance
Lawyer Madhumita Bhattacharya, representing Biswas, argued in the Karnataka High Court for the necessity of a foreigners' tribunal to determine status before deportation. In January 2026, the court noted that government authorities acknowledged Biswas as a native of West Bengal, directing the prosecution to provide proof from Bangladesh if they maintain his Bangladeshi nationality. The FRRO was granted two weeks to verify documents through Bangladeshi authorities, with a hearing scheduled for early February. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced intensified efforts to deport illegal immigrants, citing 990 identified and 511 deported, including a drive in Bengaluru's Electronic City area that detained 33 suspected Bangladeshi nationals.
Allegations of Fake Documents and Broader Concerns
A senior police officer involved claimed that the State Intelligence labeled Biswas an illegal immigrant, and the FRRO provided voter ID and birth certificate documents indicating Bangladeshi nationality, asserting they merely performed their duty and denying bribery allegations. However, Biswas's family suspects neighbors with whom he had work disputes, alleging that police knew he was not Bangladeshi. Kaleem Ullah raises critical questions: "We want to know how these documents were created and how police came to have them. Is there a larger network involved?" This fear is compounded by their eviction from their old home due to the "Bangladeshi" taint, leaving them apprehensive about future targeting.
The case highlights the intricate web of documentation, legal procedures, and human rights issues surrounding citizenship disputes in India, with Biswas's fate hanging in the balance as authorities seek clarity from across borders.
