Maha Govt. Plans Statewide Crackdown On Bangladeshi Infiltration

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Saturday told the Legislative Council that a state-wide combing operation, including in Mumbai, will soon be launched due to the rising number of alleged Bangladeshi spies. Home Minister (City) Yogesh Kadam said five police personnel have been posted at each police station in Mumbai to detect illegal Bangladeshi citizens living in the city. A joint team comprising the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Mumbai Police has also been formed to resolve the issue.

The announcement comes amid concerns over the alleged increase in the number of Bangladeshi spies, especially in Malegaon in Mumbai and Nashik district.

BJP MLCs Pravin Darekar and Prasad Lad moved a motion in the Upper House highlighting the issue, alleging that Bangladeshi citizens were encroaching on traditional occupations such as selling vegetables and fish and distributing milk. Members from both treasury and opposition seats criticized the government and demanded concrete steps.

During the discussion, Mr. Darekar claimed that Bangladeshi nationals had infiltrated Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, taking over small and large businesses and displacing the local Marathi population. He also claimed that many of them obtained Aadhaar cards and other identity documents through agencies. According to him, around 3,014 suspected spies have been detected in different parts of Mumbai.

Responding to the controversy, Mr. Kadam said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy and is taking aggressive action. “As per the Centre’s guidelines, intelligence-based joint operations are being carried out across the state and a special team of 5 police personnel has been deployed at each police station. Regular inspections and raids are being carried out in coordination with ATS and local police.”

Citing data from the past five years, Mr Kadam said 109 illegal Bangladeshi citizens were deported in 2021, 77 in 2022, 127 in 2023, 202 in 2024 and 2,376 in 2025. “Maharashtra has taken the lead in the country by deporting over 2,000 people in a single year,” he said.

Mr. Kadam also said that the tender process has already been completed and this is the first time that the state has sanctioned Rs 20 million for the establishment of a detention centre. Contractors were given the authority to share workers’ information on construction sites with local police stations, and action was taken against those who violated this. Municipal corporations and police also jointly verify street vendors’ documents, the official added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab questioned the lack of clarity on the actual number of Bangladeshi citizens in Mumbai. “Don’t the police and the municipality know how many Bangladeshi citizens are in the city?” MLC asked.

Mr. Parab claimed that the issue could be resolved within 15 days if local police were instructed and urged the government not to politicize the issue. “I can identify 2,000 such people from Bandra to Andheri. Don’t politicize this issue,” he said.