Deported Bangladeshi Nationals Illegally Return to Mumbai, Prompting Police Action
In a concerning development for Mumbai law enforcement, several Bangladeshi nationals who were previously deported have been apprehended after illegally re-entering the city. This pattern has raised significant alarms about border security and the effectiveness of deportation procedures.
Repeat Offenders: Cases of Illegal Re-Entry
Rabiya Nasir Mulla, a 46-year-old woman, exemplifies this troubling trend. Initially caught living illegally in Mira-Bhayander and deported to Bangladesh just six months ago, she was recently apprehended again in Vile Parle. Mulla, who worked as domestic help and had resided in Mira-Bhayander for 25 years, confessed to police that she managed to cross the border by traveling through jungles to return to Mumbai.
Similarly, two other Bangladeshi women were detained last month in different areas of south Mumbai. Zulekha Jamal Sheikh, 38, and Bilkis Begum Sirmiya Akhtar, 30, both informed authorities they had been deported to Bangladesh in August 2025 but returned illegally. Sheikh was apprehended near the Gateway of India, while Akhtar was arrested in the Cuffe Parade area.
Police Response and Security Concerns
Mumbai police have expressed serious concern about this recurring issue of illegal re-entry. Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary revealed that all 93 police stations in Mumbai have intensified efforts to identify and detain illegal immigrants. The crackdown has yielded substantial results, with over 1,000 illegal immigrants deported in 2025 alone.
Police officials have pointed to potential vulnerabilities at the West Bengal border, suggesting that some deported individuals may be returning by allegedly bribing border security personnel. This security gap has become a focal point for law enforcement agencies.
Recent Arrests and Enforcement Actions
The recent apprehension of Rabiya Mulla involved coordinated police work. Acting on a tip-off from police constable Nitin Chawle, a team supervised by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IX) Dikshit Gedam and led by Juhu police senior inspector Sunil Jadhav and inspector Vijay Dhotre successfully detained Mulla in Vile Parle (West).
In another significant operation last week, Versova police detained 21 Bangladeshi nationals, including 18 transgender individuals, who were residing illegally in Andheri (West). A police officer stated, "Since they are Bangladeshi citizens, we have submitted a report to the Foreigners Registration Officer in Mumbai to take appropriate action and to deport them at the earliest."
Statistical Context and Statewide Impact
The issue extends beyond Mumbai's metropolitan region. Across Maharashtra, 1,237 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been detained over the past two years. The crackdown on illegal migrants has led to a surge in arrests not only in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region but throughout the state in recent years.
Commissioner Chaudhary emphasized the ongoing nature of these efforts, noting that hundreds of individuals caught in 2026 are scheduled for imminent deportation. He confirmed that city police stations have received explicit instructions to maintain continuous pressure on illegal immigrant networks.
Personal Accounts and Method of Return
During interrogations, detained individuals have provided insights into their methods of illegal re-entry. Mulla disclosed that she returned to Mumbai after being deported on a flight along with approximately 1,600 other Bangladeshis from across Maharashtra in August 2025.
Zulekha Sheikh revealed she had been living on a footpath in Kamathipura before her initial deportation, while Bilkis Akhtar confirmed she was deported by the Mumbai crime branch in August 2025 before finding her way back into the city through unauthorized means.
These cases highlight persistent challenges in border control and immigration enforcement, prompting Mumbai police to reevaluate strategies for preventing illegal re-entry and ensuring more secure deportation processes.
