The Delhi Police Foreign Cell has arrested a Bangladeshi woman named Meetu Akhtar from the Shalimar Bagh area for staying in India without valid travel documents. The 28-year-old woman was reportedly living in the locality while working as a domestic help. During the investigation, police recovered a smartphone from her possession which contained the banned IMO application and digital copies of her original Bangladeshi identity documents in the gallery.
How was the illegal stay discovered by the authorities?
The arrest was made following the interrogation of another Bangladeshi national named Robiul, who was caught by the police on March 16, 2026. Robiul revealed during questioning that he was involved in bringing several women from Bangladesh into India through illegal routes for various activities. Based on his tip-off, the police tracked down Meetu Akhtar, who is a resident of Bhangana Gopper village in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has now been produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office for the deportation process.
Strict laws and deportation statistics in Delhi
The Delhi Police has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, which came into effect on September 1, 2025. This law mandates strict penalties including jail terms of up to 7 years and heavy fines for those using forged documents or staying without permission. The police have been following a push-back strategy to maintain security and manage city resources.
| Year/Period | Action Taken by Delhi Police | Number of Migrants |
|---|---|---|
| Full Year 2025 | Illegal Bangladeshi citizens deported | 2200 |
| May 2025 | Syndicate busted and migrants sent back | 700 |
| October 2025 | Transgender persons arrested in Shalimar Bagh | 10 |
| December 2024 | Special drive in South West District | 12 |
The Supreme Court also issued a ruling on December 6, 2025, stating that illegal migrants do not have any constitutional right to enter or settle in India. The court emphasized that the country’s limited resources must be prioritized for its own citizens. The North-West district police continue to run special operations to identify individuals living without valid visas or permits in residential colonies.
