Kolkata Police Arrest Six Bangladeshi Nationals for Visa Overstay
In a significant enforcement action, Kolkata police arrested six Bangladeshi nationals on Sunday for allegedly overstaying their visas. The arrests followed a targeted verification drive conducted at hotels in the upscale Park Street area, where authorities discovered a room occupied by foreign guests whose travel documents had expired.
Details of the Arrested Individuals
The arrested men have been identified as Abir Hossain, Mohammad Mamun Rashid, Mohammad Alimun Gazi, Azam Molla, Fayzal Amin, and Zaidul Islam. During the operation, police recovered six valid Bangladeshi passports from the individuals, confirming their nationality but highlighting the visa violations.
Hotel Under Scrutiny for Regulatory Lapses
Police have taken stringent action against the hotel where the men were staying, naming it in the First Information Report (FIR). An investigation has been launched into the hotel's management for allegedly permitting the guests to remain on the premises despite the expiry of their visas and failing to notify the authorities about the overstay, which constitutes a breach of regulatory protocols.
Interrogation Reveals Political Connections and Travel Patterns
During interrogation, two to three of the arrested men disclosed to investigators that they were associated with the Awami League, a major political party in Bangladesh. They stated that they left Bangladesh amid the ongoing unrest in the country and entered India on medical visas. The men arrived in Kolkata separately and subsequently moved between various hotels in the city while maintaining contact with one another, according to police statements.
This case underscores the vigilance of Kolkata police in monitoring foreign nationals' compliance with visa regulations and highlights the broader implications of such overstays in the context of regional security and immigration control.
