Bengaluru police crackdown on illegal immigrants, detain 15; landlords demolish structures

A routine Mane Manege Police verification drive conducted by the Hebbagodi police has led to the detection of alleged non-scientific garbage disposal practices and the identification of at least 15 suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in labour colonies in the Hulimangala area, since January 4, 2026.

Following the crackdown, landlords have begun demolishing illegal structures using JCBs after issuing an ultimatum to occupants to vacate the premises, police said. Over 60 families have lost shelter now.

Based on information gathered during the drive, the police detained over 15 alleged Bangladesh nationals who were allegedly living in the city for several years using fake identity documents, including Aadhaar cards, police said.

“Apart from environmental violations, illegal power tapping was also detected,” a senior police officer said. According to officials, the migrants were found dumping garbage into nearby lakes and water bodies and allegedly drawing electricity through illegal power connections.

The Hebbagodi police have registered five FIRs in connection with the case and conducted door-to-door verification using mobile-based identification methods. Police have also booked landlords who allegedly rented out land and allowed the construction of sheds and houses for migrant labourers engaged in garbage segregation.

However, several residents of the colony have denied the allegations. Many claimed they are Indian nationals from West Bengal and submitted documents that were reportedly verified by the jurisdictional West Bengal police. “Despite submitting valid documents, the police are not considering them and are asking us to vacate the premises as part of a clean-up drive,” said Shafiqul Mulla, a migrant labourer.

“There are nearly 60 families living here and working in garbage segregation units. We have been here for the last five years with our families and now have nowhere to go,” he said.

Police, however, maintained that the identity documents produced by the labourers were fake. Citing one instance, an officer said a woman who claimed to be a native of Assam was unable to speak Assamese, did not know the national anthem, and could not name the Prime Minister of the country. Such methods to purportedly identify illegal immigrants has drawn criticism.

Meanwhile, the Hebbagodi police also registered an FIR against a migrant woman labourer after she was allegedly caught on camera raising ‘Jai Bangla’ slogans during an argument with local residents in Podu village of Jigani, who had demanded that she chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. The woman later corrected herself and raised the latter slogan.

The video went viral on social media, prompting the police to trace and book her under Sections 15, 196, 197 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on Sunday (January 12, 2026). Further investigation is under way, police said.

M. Narayana, DCP, Electronics City Division, said that the drive will continue to identify and track down illegal immigrants and those who have been tracked down so far will be deported after the due process.