Mumbai sees over six-fold rise in deportation of illegal Bangladeshis since 2024

Deportations of Bangladeshi nationals allegedly staying illegally in Mumbai have surged, with 1,066 deported by the end of August 2026 — more than six times the 164 deported in 2024, according to data published by the Mumbai police recently.

The number of deportations in 2026 has already surpassed the 1,061 recorded in 2025, despite the year being only eight months old.

Since 2024, the Mumbai police have registered 658 offences against such immigrants and arrested 995 people, the data showed. By August 31, the total number of deportations over the past three years stood at 2,291.

The increase comes amid heightened scrutiny of illegal immigration and the use of fraudulent Indian identity documents. In July 2026, the Bombay High Court, while hearing cases involving foreign nationals allegedly using bogus or fabricated Aadhaar documents, called for greater coordination between Maharashtra and Central agencies to identify, trace and deport them.

In separate cases, the court also dealt with allegations of Bangladeshi nationals entering India illegally and obtaining forged Aadhaar, PAN and voter identity cards, highlighting the need for closer inter-agency coordination.

In July 2025, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said more than 42,000 birth certificates issued to Bangladeshis allegedly staying illegally in the State had been cancelled, with the government launching a special drive to identify and cancel more such certificates.

The State had set up a task force and a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged issuance of fraudulent birth and death certificates.

Police said action against illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshi citizens, would continue. They have also appealed to citizens to report information or complaints regarding Bangladeshi nationals allegedly staying illegally in the city. Such information can be reported to the Mumbai Police Control Room by dialling 100 or 112.