As part of its district-wide ‘Operation Clean Sweep’, Delhi Police on 24 December apprehended seven Nigerian nationals living without valid visas in the capital’s Uttam Nagar neighbourhood. Details of the arrests were released this week as officers processed deportation paperwork in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration.
The detainees were allegedly involved in petty drug trafficking and used forged rental agreements to avoid detection. Immigration officials confirmed that all seven had overstayed anywhere from six months to three years beyond the expiry of their tourist or student visas. They now face fines, blacklisting and immediate removal from India under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act 1946.
![Delhi Police detain seven Nigerian nationals for overstay in ‘Clean Sweep’ crackdown]()
The swoop is emblematic of a wider enforcement push: Delhi Police deported a record 2,200 Bangladeshi nationals in 2025, up from just 14 the previous year. Authorities say forged Aadhaar cards and voter IDs remain common among overstayers seeking employment in the informal sector.
For multinational companies employing foreign talent in India, the message is clear—maintain airtight visa-compliance tracking. Legal experts recommend quarterly audits of passport expiry, FRRO registration and residential-address documentation, especially for long-term assignees.
The crackdown also highlights India’s limited detention capacity; most overstayers are kept in district-level lock-ups until charter flights or commercial removals can be arranged. Corporates should prepare for stricter police verification visits when leasing accommodation for expatriate employees in Delhi-NCR.
The detainees were allegedly involved in petty drug trafficking and used forged rental agreements to avoid detection. Immigration officials confirmed that all seven had overstayed anywhere from six months to three years beyond the expiry of their tourist or student visas. They now face fines, blacklisting and immediate removal from India under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act 1946.
The swoop is emblematic of a wider enforcement push: Delhi Police deported a record 2,200 Bangladeshi nationals in 2025, up from just 14 the previous year. Authorities say forged Aadhaar cards and voter IDs remain common among overstayers seeking employment in the informal sector.
For multinational companies employing foreign talent in India, the message is clear—maintain airtight visa-compliance tracking. Legal experts recommend quarterly audits of passport expiry, FRRO registration and residential-address documentation, especially for long-term assignees.
The crackdown also highlights India’s limited detention capacity; most overstayers are kept in district-level lock-ups until charter flights or commercial removals can be arranged. Corporates should prepare for stricter police verification visits when leasing accommodation for expatriate employees in Delhi-NCR.
Source: Times of India
