Mumbai's ongoing deportation drive has intensified, resulting in the expulsion of 1,066 Bangladeshi nationals in the first eight months of 2026. This number has already surpassed the total of 1,061 deportations recorded throughout 2025, indicating a significant escalation in enforcement efforts by local authorities. The data provided by the Mumbai police reveals that deportations have increased more than sixfold compared to the 164 deportations documented in 2024.
This surge in deportations is attributed to rigorous verification drives conducted across the city. In a notable operation in July, the Mumbai Crime Branch detained 37 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of residing in the city without valid documents. However, the challenge does not end with deportation; there are growing concerns about repeat entries by individuals previously expelled from India.
- Repeat entry cases on the rise — Instances of previously deported individuals re-entering India highlight gaps in border management.
- Need for effective border control — Experts stress that increased deportations signal a corresponding rise in illegal entries.
- Maharashtra government initiatives — Steps have been taken to expedite the deportation process for foreign nationals.
In February, a Bangladeshi woman who was deported in August 2025 was arrested in Mumbai after allegedly re-entering through forest routes. Similarly, in June, police apprehended a couple who had returned to Mumbai after being deported in 2025. These cases underscore the complexities of immigration enforcement in the region.
Retired assistant commissioner of police Dhanraj Vanjari has raised critical questions regarding the influx of illegal migrants, stating, "If deportation has increased, it means the influx has also increased." He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to border management, which is primarily under the jurisdiction of the Central government. The Maharashtra government has responded by establishing committees to review eligible cases and facilitate deportation processes, but the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.
