61 Bangladeshi nationals detained in Ahmedabad in pre-Diwali verification drive
Synopsis
Ahead of Diwali, Ahmedabad's Crime Branch swept through slum pockets in Danilimda, Narol, Odhav and Nikol — detaining 61 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of living and working illegally in the city. No forged Indian documents were found, and no trafficking agent has yet been identified, raising questions about how a large group entered and settled undetected.
Key Takeaways
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch detained 61 Bangladeshi nationals on 2 November during a pre-Diwali verification sweep.
Around 100 individuals were initially apprehended; 61 were confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens.
Most were living in slum areas of Danilimda , Narol , Odhav , and Nikol , working as daily-wage labourers.
No forged Indian documents were recovered; detainees carried Bangladeshi documents.
All 61 have been sent to the Gujarat Illegal Immigrant Centre (GIIC) and deportation proceedings have been initiated.
Police say verification drives will continue in the coming days; no trafficking agent has been identified so far.
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch detained 61 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of residing illegally in the city on 2 November 2026, following a targeted verification operation conducted across several zones ahead of the Diwali festivities. Of roughly 100 suspicious individuals initially apprehended, 61 were confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens, officials said.
How the Operation Unfolded
The drive was mounted using human intelligence and technical inputs, with teams deployed across multiple areas of Ahmedabad. A significant proportion of those detained were found living in slum settlements, particularly in Danilimda, Narol, Odhav, and Nikol. According to police, the individuals had entered India through various routes in different groups and subsequently taken up casual employment.
Who Was Detained and What They Were Doing
ACP (In-Charge), Crime Branch, S S Ninama said most of those held were engaged in masonry, domestic work, and other forms of daily-wage labour. 'Most of them were engaged in masonry, domestic work and other forms of daily-wage labour. Some were also involved in small-scale businesses, while a few women were found to be associated with the spa business,' Ninama said. No forged Indian documents were recovered from the detained individuals; most were carrying documents issued in Bangladesh.
No Agent Network Identified Yet
Police said no specific agent or trafficking network responsible for bringing the individuals to the city had been identified so far. 'They appear to have arrived in different groups and found work here,' Ninama said. The absence of forged papers suggests the individuals had not yet integrated into local documentation systems, though investigators have not ruled out further leads.
What Happens Next
All 61 detained foreign nationals are being transferred to the Gujarat Illegal Immigrant Centre (GIIC) for further proceedings, after which deportation procedures will be initiated, according to police. The Crime Branch confirmed that verification drives and legal action against illegally staying foreign nationals would continue in the coming days. This operation is part of a broader pattern of pre-festival security sweeps that Gujarat authorities have periodically conducted in urban centres.
Point of View
A step that historically follows longer stays and involves local facilitators. That no agent network has been identified is either a genuine investigative gap or an indication that informal labour demand itself acts as a pull factor requiring no organised conduit. Gujarat authorities have conducted such sweeps before, but without sustained follow-through on the supply side — the border crossing points and informal employment pipelines — the detained individuals are likely to be replaced by others through the same routes.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bangladeshi nationals were detained in Ahmedabad on 2 November?
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch detained 61 Bangladeshi nationals on 2 November during a pre-Diwali verification drive. About 100 individuals were initially apprehended, of whom 61 were confirmed as Bangladeshi citizens.
Where in Ahmedabad were the detained individuals found?
Most of the detained individuals were found living in slum settlements in Danilimda, Narol, Odhav, and Nikol — four adjoining areas in Ahmedabad. They were working as daily-wage labourers in masonry, domestic work, and small businesses.
Were any forged Indian documents recovered during the operation?
No forged Indian documents were recovered from the detained individuals. Police said most of those held were carrying documents issued in Bangladesh.
What will happen to the 61 detained Bangladeshi nationals?
All 61 detained nationals are being sent to the Gujarat Illegal Immigrant Centre (GIIC) for further proceedings, after which deportation procedures will be initiated, according to police.
Has any trafficking agent been identified in connection with the detention?
No specific agent or network responsible for bringing the individuals to Ahmedabad has been identified so far. Police say the individuals appear to have arrived in different groups through various routes and found casual work independently.
