Mumbai Deportation Drive Accelerates As 1,066 Bangladeshi Nationals Sent Back In 8 Months, Surpassing 2025 Total

Mumbai's deportation campaign targeting Bangladeshi nationals believed to be in the city unlawfully has intensified, with 1,066 individuals removed in the first eight months of 2026, surpassing the total of 1,061 deported throughout 2025. This surge is six times greater than the 164 deportations carried out in 2024, as per Mumbai police data. Authorities have ramped up verification efforts across the city, recently detaining 37 Bangladeshi nationals in July under a specialized operation.

However, this acceleration brings to light a critical issue: the fate of those deported. In February, a Bangladeshi woman, deported from Maharashtra in August 2025, was apprehended in Mumbai after allegedly re-entering the country via forested areas. Similarly, in June, police arrested Litan Shohid Mulla and Papi Begum, two Bangladeshi nationals deported in 2025, and in July, Vilayat Bilal Shaikh, a 46-year-old individual from Kasturba Marg, was arrested in Borivli for purportedly returning through Nepal-Guwahati, allegedly aided by human traffickers.

A recent Bombay High Court case underscored the necessity of proper documentation to establish nationality, with the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission providing a travel permit post-verification. Former Police Officer Dhanraj Vanjari questioned the surge, emphasizing the need to understand the influx data, noting that intensified deportation efforts indicate an increase in unlawful entry.

The challenge also extends politically, with security agencies urged to address any connections between Bangladeshi nationals and criminal activities.

The Maharashtra government has initiated measures to streamline deportation procedures, establishing committees at both district and state levels to review eligible cases and facilitate the process for foreign nationals. Despite these efforts, Mumbai Police face a multifaceted challenge—ensuring the successful deportation of illegal entrants while addressing the broader issue of illegal immigration.