Ahmedabad/Surat, April 26, 2025 : In a massive overnight operation, Gujarat police launched a coordinated crackdown on illegal immigrants in Ahmedabad and Surat, detaining over 550 individuals, primarily Bangladeshis, for residing in the state with forged documents. The operations, which began in the early hours, reflect the state’s intensified efforts to address illegal immigration, following directives from the Home Minister, Commissioner of Police, and Director General of Police.
In Ahmedabad, starting at 3 am, the Crime Branch, alongside the Special Operations Group (SOG), Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Zone 6, and Headquarters teams, conducted a sweeping combing operation targeting illegal immigrants. “We had specific inputs about a large number of Bangladeshis residing in the Chandola area,” said Joint CP Sharad Singhal, Crime Branch. The operation led to the detention of 457 suspicious immigrants. “Deportation processes will begin after thorough interrogation,” Singhal added. Since April 2024, Ahmedabad police have registered two FIRs, apprehended 127 illegal Bangladeshis, and deported 77.
In Surat, a similar operation unfolded last night, with the SOG, Detection of Crime Branch (DCB), Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), and other police units rounding up over 100 Bangladeshis. “All of them entered India illegally and have been living in Surat for years using fake documents,” said DCP Rajdeep Singh Nakum, SOG. The detained individuals are under investigation, with plans to deport them to Bangladesh upon completion of legal formalities.
#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Crime Branch Joint CP Sharad Singhal says, “HM, CP and DGP had directed us that illegal immigrants must be held. The Crime Branch registered two FIRs from April 2024 till now. 127 illegal Bangladeshis were caught and 77 were deported… We had inputs… https://t.co/8URmhePjIk pic.twitter.com/ta6zI44erp
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2025
The large-scale raids underscore Gujarat’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal immigration, with authorities vowing to continue such operations to ensure compliance with immigration laws. Local residents have expressed mixed reactions, with some praising the police action, while others raised concerns about the humanitarian aspects of deportation.
