Oshiwara police arrested two Bangladeshi nationals on Tuesday for illegally staying in India. The accused have been identified as Suman Babu Sheikh and Iman Babu Sheikh. The police have seized two mobile phones from them. Investigations revealed that both had been residing in Mumbai for the past two years and were working as laborers to repay debts.
According to the police, they had received a tip-off that some Bangladeshi nationals were visiting a hotel named Lazeez on S.V. Road in Jogeshwari for employment. Acting on this information, the Oshiwara police kept a watch on the location. Around 1:45 PM on Tuesday, two suspicious individuals arrived at the spot. When questioned, they revealed their names as Suman Sheikh and Iman Sheikh. Upon further inquiry, it was found that they were residing in the Mira-Bhayander area and working as daily wage laborers.
When asked for documents proving their Indian citizenship, they failed to provide any. During interrogation, the duo admitted that they were Bangladeshi nationals. They stated that they were under heavy debt in Bangladesh and had been struggling with unemployment and poverty. In search of better opportunities and to repay their loans, they illegally entered India and started working in Mumbai.
For the past two years, they had been staying in Mira-Bhayander and earning their livelihood. They also sent some money back to their families in Bangladesh. The police examined their seized mobile phones, which confirmed that they were in regular contact with their relatives and friends in Bangladesh.
The police have registered a case against them under the Foreigners Act for illegally entering India and violating immigration laws. Following their arrest, they were produced before the court on Wednesday, which remanded them to police custody. Investigations are ongoing to identify any other Bangladeshi nationals illegally residing in Mumbai or nearby cities.