Shailesh Bhatia on why keeping an eye on firangs with criminal records is a big headache
Shailesh Bhatia on why keeping an eye on firangs with criminal records is a big headacheKeeping a tab on foreigners with criminal records has not only become one of the biggest headaches for the Mumbai police in recent times, but it has also emerged as a security risk for the city.
Most tainted foreigners cannot be deported in time due to inadequate immigration papers.
Since the city doesn't have any deportation centre, the police have to let them go once they serve their sentence (See They stay at...). In most cases, the criminals disappear while deportation papers are being processed.
Countless casesIt is estimated that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the Mumbai police and the Crime Branch handle about five new cases of foreigners committing crimes every day.
The number of illegal immigrants who disappear after serving prison terms is virtually unaccounted for.
DCP Nisar Tamboli (Crime Branch) explained that such accused enter the country on a three-month tourist visa. They destroy their passports to wipe out their last real identification the moment they exit
the airport.
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Out in the Open: Illegal immigrants from countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh can settle anywhere after they are let off due to lack of a deportation centre. They can pass off as Indians and lose themselves in the crowd, fear the police. |
A senior officer of the FRRO cited the case of Naser Johar Asad (55), a Jordanian national, who was released from Nagpur jail about three months ago.
He has served a 30-year life sentence for murder and possession of illegal arms. However, he cannot be sent back because he doesn't possess valid travel documents.
"There was no reason for his deportation to be delayed, but till the time his travel documents, including the passport, are received from the Jordanian embassy, he has to be kept under scrutiny, as per the law.
This is a Herculean task. We have been in constant touch with the Jordanian embassy to clear the requisite paper work, but they have asked for more time to check his background," compl-ained the cop.
He alleged that countries were often reluctant to own up to people with criminal records and deliberately delayed the process.
Grave security riskThe FRRO cop added that such criminals posed a huge security risk. "Since they have no identification, they can vanish without a trace. If they are involved in terrorist activities, it is impossible for us to track them," he said.
Citing Asad's case, the police officer added, "It is vital to understand that the accused has been convicted under a serious terrorist act. The sooner he leaves the country, the better for us."
Police sources allege that they have been demanding a deportation centre, like the facility in New Delhi, where such illegal immigrants can be kept till the time their passport and deportation papers are processed for many years now. But the demands have fallen on deaf ears.
Said Tamboli, "A detention centre for such criminals is needed urgently. Many foreigners, especially those from Africa, who are members of a drug cartel, end up buying property in places like Mira Road. Even if they are traced, they have enough money to engage a team of strong lawyers."
Such criminals can't be transferred to the Delhi deportation camp, as this falls under the jurisdiction of the state home department.
Jt CP (Crime) Rakesh Maria confirmed that a proposal for this had been sent to the state government many years ago, but action was still awaited.
Paper work for DeportationPassport, as the criminals generally destroy their original ones on entering the country.
Special immigration papers because when a fresh passport is issued it doesn't have the stamp or any proof of the person leaving his native country.
They stay at...After serving their sentence in India, criminals from foreign countries have to report to FRRO. They have to give an address where the police can find them. But in most cases, say cops, such criminals disappear.
