Bengaluru: A landlord and a labour contractor have been arrested under the Foreigners Act, 1946, for allegedly providing accommodation to six Bangladeshi nationals without complying with mandatory reporting requirements to the authorities.

The accused have been identified as Muniraju, the landlord, and Arjun, a labour contractor. Police said Muniraju had rented out a shed on his property near the Government School in Kodathi, Marathahalli, where the six foreign nationals were staying.

Six Bangladeshi nationals detained

The Varthur police detained the six individuals after they were unable to produce documents proving Indian citizenship during questioning. Police later confirmed that all six were Bangladeshi nationals.

The detained persons have been identified as Shahida Begum (32), Renu (60), Laiju Akthar (20), K. Jaleel Sheikh (50), M. Mohammed Nitul Sheikh (35) and I. Mohammed Saidul Islam (45).

According to police, they are natives of the Bagerhat and Munshiganj districts of Bangladesh and have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further investigation.

Case surfaced after assault complaint

The incident came to light after police received information that members of certain organisations had allegedly assaulted the Bangladeshi nationals staying in Kodathi and recorded videos of the attack.

When officers reached the location, they found the six individuals, including women, living in a temporary shed on the property.

Police cite violation of reporting rules

Police said property owners are legally required to report the stay of foreign nationals through Form C on the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) portal within 24 hours of renting out their premises.

Under Section 7 of the Foreigners Act, landlords must submit the required details online and retain the completed Form C along with supporting documents.

Officials said the rule is intended to help authorities monitor foreign nationals, as some have previously been found involved in criminal activities, including drug trafficking.

Police said further investigation into the case is underway.