A detention centre will soon be opened in the Bhoiwada area of Dadar. Foreign nationals who entered the country illegally will be held here until they are sent back to their home country.
According to a senior Mumbai Police official, the proposal for a detention centre was sent to the Maharashtra government, which was approved immediately. The Public Works Department (PWD) was entrusted with the responsibility of constructing the detention centre building. The land adjacent to Bhoiwada Court in Dadar East has been finalised and has a quotation of approximately 5 crores.
“The opening of the detention centre is an important step taken. At present, illegal immigrants are kept under the watch of the anti-terrorism cell in police stations, but this is a challenge due to the fear of them escaping from custody,” an official told Free Press.
Bangladeshi nationalists escaped from police custody
In November last year, a Bangladeshi who was in the custody of Kalachowki police station escaped and went missing for a week before the police caught him. After the incident, the on-duty officer was reprimanded for negligence.
“Officers at ATC have multiple duties and illegal immigrants put more burden on them. Hence, the detention centre will reduce their burden slightly and the migrants will be able to live peacefully in a better environment than in police custody," the official added.
As per standard procedure, illegal immigrants are charged under the Foreigners Act, Section 194 at the nearest border point and handed over to Pakistani authorities for deportation. The deportation process for Bangladeshi nationals involves coordination between police, BSF and immigration officials, while for Pakistani nationals, it involves coordination between police and Pakistani authorities. They are sent back to their homes from Amritsar,” explained a senior IPS officer.
Numerous arrests in the past two years
In 2023, over 367 persons – Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals – were caught by the Mumbai Police. Many of these were sent back to their homelands. In 2024, as of March 25, at least 39 were apprehended and deportation proceedings were initiated. In cases like this, the Mumbai Police Special Branch - 1 along with the ATC of the local police station, work together to complete the SOP and initiate the deportation process. Mumbai Police has appealed to citizens to follow the 'tenant verification' process. Before renting the property to another person (tenant) the details of the tenant have to be submitted to the ATC of their local police station.
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“No police NOC is required for renting a flat or house. However, citizens should provide information about their tenants - such as their basic information along with documents - at the local police station or apply online on the official Mumbai Police website," said an official.
Over the years, the Mumbai Police has arrested many illegal immigrants. Identifying illegal immigrants is also a challenge for the police. According to officials, detention centres are different from prisons, so prison staff will not be deployed here. “These centres are only for illegal immigrants or foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas. They will be detained till the deportation process is completed,” said an official.
The detention centre will also have recreational activities like board games, television and a library for the detainees. The estimated number of prisoners to be housed in Mumbai's first detention centre would not exceed 100 to 150.
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