Mumbai Crime Branch Probes Possible Bangladeshi Link to Nagpur Violence

The Mumbai Crime Branch has launched an investigation into a possible connection between Bangladeshi infiltrators and the recent communal violence in Nagpur. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Crime Branch arrested 29-year-old Bangladeshi national Azizul Rahman at Dadar railway station on Wednesday night.

Rahman, who had previously lived in Nagpur, was reportedly traveling to Mumbai via Pune. Officials suspect that he had been residing illegally in India using forged documents. Authorities are now analyzing his mobile phone records to determine his whereabouts during the Nagpur riots.

The violence in Nagpur erupted on March 17, 2025, during protests led by right-wing groups demanding the demolition of the tomb of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The unrest resulted in clashes, leaving at least 34 police officers and several civilians injured, along with significant property damage. Following the violence, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of the city to restore order.

In the aftermath, police have arrested over 100 individuals, including juveniles, and multiple FIRs have been registered. Additionally, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation initiated demolition drives against properties linked to key accused Fahim Khan. However, these actions were later halted by a High Court stay order.

Sources indicate that several Bangladeshi nationals, who were allegedly hiding in Nagpur, fled after the riots. Following this intelligence input, the Mumbai Crime Branch has begun investigating whether Rahman had any role in the violence. Officials are also probing the presence of other Bangladeshi infiltrators who may have been residing in Nagpur under false identities.​