Priyank Kharge.
| Photo Credit: File photo
Bengaluru city police have detained 15 people who are allegedly Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally in the city without valid visa or citizenship documents. The detentions were made during a special drive conducted by the Bengaluru city police on Saturday.
The drive was launched to identify and deport illegal immigrants staying in the city. As part of the drive, police teams visited over 30 places across the city and initiated a verification process. A total of 1,909 suspected persons were checked during the operation. Police scrutinised their backgrounds, nationality and identity documents, including visas and passports, as part of the verification process.
The detainees were allegedly from Bagerhat and Khulna in Bangladesh. Police said further legal action would be initiated against all 15 persons under applicable laws. Their verified documents are being submitted to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further action and deportation as per procedure, said the police.
The drive primarily covered the eastern and southeastern parts of the city. Saidulu Adavath, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Whitefield, said police teams visited nearly 30 locations, including over 50 sheds, in his jurisdiction. “The drive has been taken up as per the direction of the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner,” he said.
Speaking about the drive near Vidhana Soudha, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said that over 1,000 illegal immigrants had been found in the last three months. Although the process is ongoing, he said separate dedicated team would be formed for the purpose if needed. He further noted that the State does not share a border with other countries and that illegal entry is taking place through northern States with porous borders.
“We are in touch with Border Security Force and we will take care of this issue. This issue needs constant vigilant,” he said.
Unions oppose
The Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ), and two other unions have written to Karnataka Director General of Police and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, stating that “this action by the police is illegal and constitutionally impermissible.”
“The police conducted ‘verifications’ and checked their documents, seized several people’s phones and checked their private messages and call logs. It should be noted that the presence of a foreign number on a phone does not prove or even create a prima facie case to presume foreign citizenship,” a statement by the unions said. “No person can lawfully be deprived of their liberty except by procedure established by law, as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the statement added.
The unions have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all persons who continue to be detained.
Published – August 08, 2026 06:40 pm IST
