Bhubaneswar: In a significant verdict, a court in Bhubaneswar sentenced nine Bangladeshi nationals to rigorous imprisonment for two years for infiltrating into Odisha in an illegal manner.
The Court of the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) in Bhubaneswar convicted the nine persons based on evidence presented by six witnesses and documentary proof.
Besides awarding jail term, the court also imposed penalties of Rs 10,000 each on the nine individuals. As per the court order, non-payment of the fine amount would attract an addition
al prison term of three months.
As per the prosecution, the nine Bangladeshis were arrested on March 8, 2025, by the Special Task Force of the Odisha Crime Branch at the Bhubaneswar Railway Station for entering the state without valid documents. The nine included three women. They were held under the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
During the arrest, authorities seized Bangladeshi and Indian currency as well as mobile phones from the infiltrators.
The prosecution established the case through six witnesses and 14 documentary exhibits.
This is stated to be the first instance in Odisha where a court has convicted Bangladeshi infiltrators.
During the arrest, authorities seized Bangladeshi and Indian currency as well as mobile phones from the infiltrators.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has reportedly requested India to hand over the convicts to the Bangladesh High Commission after they complete their jail sentences.