Maharashtra ATS arrests 9 Bangladeshi nationals, detains 43 in December crackdown on illegal immigrants

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested nine Bangladeshi nationals for illegally entering India and residing without valid documentation. The arrests took place over the last four days in multiple districts, including Mumbai, Nashik, Nanded, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The arrested individuals include eight males and one female, who were found to have entered India unlawfully. Additionally, it was discovered that they had obtained fraudulent Aadhaar cards using forged documents.

This operation is part of a broader crackdown by the ATS targeting illegal immigration in Maharashtra. In December alone, the ATS has arrested a total of 43 Bangladeshi nationals across 19 separate cases. The arrested individuals were charged under the Foreigners Act, with additional provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) also applied. Officials confirmed that five cases have been filed against the nine detainees, who were using the forged Aadhaar cards to stay undetected in the country.

The ongoing drive, which has seen coordination between the ATS and local police, focuses on identifying and arresting illegal immigrants residing across Maharashtra. Raids were carried out in the cities of Mumbai, Nashik, Nanded, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as part of this initiative. Authorities are investigating how the individuals entered India, whether they were involved in illegal activities, and if they had ties to any organized criminal or extremist groups.

In another related operation, seven additional Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in Thane, Maharashtra, for staying in India without valid documents. This raid was conducted on a warehouse in the Prerna Complex, Mankoli, following a tip-off. The detained individuals, aged between 26 and 54 years, were found working illegally and unable to provide valid documents for their stay. Police seized mobile phones and goods valued at Rs 35,000 during the raid. An FIR has been filed against these individuals under the Foreigners Act, the Passports Act, and the Passport (Entry into India) Act.

The ATS’s actions follow growing concerns over the presence of undocumented foreign nationals in India. Investigations into the arrested individuals continue, with authorities working to identify potential security risks. These operations are part of an ongoing effort to tighten control over illegal immigration and the use of forged documents, particularly government-issued identification like Aadhaar cards, in the state.