The Bengaluru City Police is gearing up to deport, reportedly for the first time, an African national who has been booked on the charge of possessing narcotic substances and overstaying in the country. A court order into the matter is expected in a few days which will set a precedent for six other similar cases against other African nationals who are currently behind bars.
Nnaji Chuku Emeka (34) from Nigeria is currently at Parappana Agrahara prison after being arrested in October following attempts to peddle contraband in parts of Bengaluru.
In 2013, he came to India on a business visa and dealt with garments, overstayed and allegedly started drug peddling.
“There are many foreign nationals in the city who are overstaying and indulging in prostitution, online fraud and selling contraband. After being apprehended, they come out on bail and continue their illegal activities,” said an investigating officer.
In Emeka’s case, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) had filed a chargesheet in a city court and has sought deportation orders to send him back to Nigeria.
“The orders are expected soon and if so it will be the maiden case of deportation of an African national booked by Bengaluru police for possessing narcotics and residing in city without valid documents,” the officer added.
The deportation was initiated by the city police two months ago following a go-ahead by the Commissioner of Police after police identified that most foreign nationals overstaying in Bengaluru were involved in some form of crime and the process to prosecute remained cumbersome and expensive. Thereafter Emeka’s case was taken up and deportation process was initiated.
The cases of six more African nationals, also behind bars here on drug charges, are also being scrutinised and are likely to face deportation soon after Emeka’s orders arrive.
“We are very keen on deporting the suspect thus sending a strong message to other foreign nationals overstaying and indulging in crime activities in the city,” added R. Ramesh, Deputy Commissioner of Police, CCB, dealing with the proceedings.
In March this year following a clash in Bhairati, Kothanur between locals and South African nationals, city police collected details of nearly 6,000 Africans residing in Bengaluru and unearthed 540 were staying without valid documents. There were plans to deport them from India but the initiative did not materialise.
