A local court in Bhubaneswar delivered a significant verdict on Tuesday, sentencing nine Bangladeshi nationals to two years of rigorous imprisonment for illegally entering India and residing in the country without valid documents. This landmark judgment represents the first conviction of Bangladeshi infiltrators in the state of Odisha, as confirmed by the Odisha Police.
Details of the Conviction and Sentencing
The convicts, identified as Md Hasim (46), Sajib Khan (24), Allam Shaika (41), Md Azeem (40), Dilara Sheikh (45), Md Soha Talukdar (36), Karima Begum (25), Monira Begum (30), and Sahana Begum (45), were arrested along with a detained 16-year-old juvenile. The special task force (STF) of the crime branch apprehended them from Bhubaneswar railway station on March 8, 2025. These individuals hail from the Mymensingh, Bagerhat, and Dhaka regions of Bangladesh.
Sub-divisional judicial magistrate pronounced the sentence under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946. In addition to the imprisonment, each convict was fined Rs 10,000. Inspector General of Police (crime branch) Sarthak Sarangi stated that the convicted individuals will be repatriated to Bangladesh after completing their prison terms.
Investigation Findings and Illegal Entry Methods
According to STF officials, the group entered India with assistance from an agent near Assam's Dhuburi district before eventually moving to Bhubaneswar. The Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi has been formally notified about their conviction.
An STF officer revealed crucial details from the investigation: "They did not possess valid passports, visas, or legitimate travel documents. They admitted to paying substantial sums to a trafficking agent to facilitate their illegal entry into India. During searches conducted by authorities, seven mobile phones along with both Bangladeshi and Indian currencies were seized from their possession."
Broader Context of Illegal Immigration in Odisha
This case occurs against the backdrop of increased scrutiny on illegal immigration in Odisha. In a written assembly reply on December 1, 2025, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi disclosed that 51 illegal Bangladeshi nationals have been identified in Odisha since the BJP assumed power in the state in June 2024.
Of these identified individuals, 49 have already been deported, while two were discovered using forged passports and are currently facing trial. The chief minister's statement provided specific deportation statistics from various districts:
- 24 Bangladeshi infiltrators deported from Bhubaneswar
- 15 deported from Cuttack
- 6 deported from Ganjam district
- 3 deported from Kandhamal
- 1 deported from Koraput district
This conviction establishes a legal precedent in Odisha's efforts to address illegal immigration, demonstrating the state's commitment to enforcing immigration laws through judicial processes. The case highlights the ongoing challenges of cross-border illegal movement and the mechanisms being employed to combat such activities within the legal framework.
