Bengaluru: Bengaluru City Police on Saturday launched a special verification drive, codenamed ‘Operation Mukta’, to identify suspected illegal immigrants residing in different parts of the city. The operation covered more than 30 locations in the Whitefield division and several areas of Electronic City.

The drive was conducted under the directions of the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, with more than 500 police personnel and officers deployed in the Whitefield division alone.

Whitefield Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Saidulla Adavath said the verification exercise is part of the police department’s continuing efforts to identify people whose citizenship or immigration status requires verification.

More than 500 personnel deployed

Police teams conducted verification operations across all police station limits in the Whitefield division.

Adavath said the exercise was not a one-time operation but part of a continuous and regular verification process. Police personnel were instructed to check the documents and backgrounds of people whose identities appeared suspicious during the operation.

“If we find anyone suspicious, we will verify their documents and check their background,” the DCP said.

The operation covered a wide area, with police teams visiting temporary settlements and other locations where workers and other residents were staying.

40 people detained for verification

According to police sources, around 40 people were detained in the Whitefield division for document verification.

Of these, four were identified as Bangladeshi nationals based on documents recovered during the operation. Verification of the remaining individuals was still underway.

Police said the identification process was based on documents and other information available during the checks, with further verification being carried out where necessary.

The operation also covered several locations in Electronic City, including Hebbagodi.

Around 30 locations under six police station limits in Whitefield were searched, while another 15 to 20 locations in Electronic City were covered during the drive.

Checks carried out in temporary settlements

Police teams inspected makeshift settlements and temporary sheds occupied by workers and other residents.

Residents were asked to produce identity and citizenship documents, including Aadhaar cards and voter identification cards.

Those unable to provide valid documents or whose credentials appeared suspicious were taken to police stations for detailed verification.

The searches covered settlements housing people from several parts of India, including West Bengal, Assam and Bihar, as well as people from Nepal and Bangladesh.

Police said Indian citizens would be permitted to remain after their identities and documents were verified. Foreign nationals found to be staying in the country without valid documentation would be referred to the appropriate authorities for further legal action.

Large settlements found during drive

Police reportedly found sizeable clusters of makeshift accommodation during the operation.

At one location, around 150 temporary sheds were found, while another settlement had more than 100 sheds.

According to police sources, the temporary structures were allegedly being rented to workers for between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 per month.

Authorities are also examining the role of landowners and others who may have facilitated the construction and rental of such accommodation.

DCP Adavath said local people were involved in constructing some of these sheds and renting them to workers. Such settlements are often occupied by construction workers from different states and districts of Karnataka.

Workers among those staying in settlements

Police sources said many residents of the settlements were working as construction labourers, domestic workers, drivers and delivery personnel.

The verification drive is aimed at determining the identities and citizenship status of residents rather than treating all occupants of temporary settlements as illegal immigrants.

Officials said Indian nationals would be allowed to stay after verification, while foreign nationals found to be residing illegally would be referred for further proceedings.

Police are also examining whether property owners or other individuals have knowingly facilitated accommodation for people without valid documentation.

Foreign nationals to be referred to FRRO

DCP Adavath said police would inform the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) if identity documents indicating that a person is a foreign national are found.

“If we find an identity card or any other document indicating that they are from another country, we will write to the FRRO,” he said.

According to the police, once deportation orders are obtained from the competent authority, further action will be taken in accordance with the law.

The process is therefore expected to involve document verification, confirmation of nationality and coordination with the relevant authorities before any deportation takes place.

Drive covers Whitefield and Electronic City

The operation extended across several prominent and densely populated areas of eastern and southeastern Bengaluru.

Police teams conducted searches and verification checks in Whitefield, Varthur, Kadugodi, Balagere Road, Bellandur, Marathahalli and Mahadevapura, besides Electronic City and Hebbagodi.

The wide geographical coverage reflects the police department’s focus on identifying residents whose documentation may require further scrutiny.

Officials said the exercise is part of a broader and ongoing effort to identify foreign nationals who may be residing illegally in the city and initiate appropriate proceedings wherever required.

Drive follows recent High Court observation

The police operation comes days after the Karnataka High Court questioned Bengaluru police over the registration of a criminal case against a doctor-activist who had identified an alleged Bangladeshi national living illegally in the city.

Justice M Nagaprasanna stayed further investigation in that case and observed that the system should not discourage people who report suspected illegal immigration.

The observation has added attention to the issue of identifying illegal immigrants while ensuring that people who provide information about suspected illegal residence are not discouraged from approaching authorities.

The latest verification drive is expected to continue as part of the Bengaluru police’s regular exercise.

Police said the primary objective is to establish the identities and citizenship status of residents through proper documentation and take legal action where illegal immigration is confirmed.