The "petty vote-bank politics" has prevented an "intense action" by the government against three crore Bangladesh nationals illegally staying in New Delhi and enjoying the benefits meant for Indian citizens, a Delhi court has said.
"It is unfortunate that while genuine citizens of
this country continue to suffer in abject poverty, it is petty vote-bank politics which prevents a firm, resolute and intense government action against the three crore Bangladeshi nationals illegally staying in our country, enjoying all the benefits which otherwise are the entitlements of citizens, thereby compelling the court to step in," Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said.
The court's remarks came while awarding a 4-year jail term to a Bangladesh-based man who was convicted for illegally staying in New Delhi.
The court said convict Fazlu, involved in various other criminal cases in Delhi, was maintaining a family in Bangladesh but has taken advantage of the "porous border" to frequently come to India.
"I may observe that convict Fazlu is a foreigner being a Bangladeshi...is maintaining a family in Bangladesh but in an attempt to create his rights in India, is also maintaining a family consisting of two wives (whose citizenship he has withheld from the court) and seven children in India.
"Further, as per information from Investigating Officer Fazlu, taking advantage of the porous border, frequently crosses over and while in India has involved himself in a number of criminal cases," it said while directing the authorities to deport Fazlu to Bangladesh after completion of his jail term.