A Mumbai court has convicted 8 women to 25 months in prison for illegally staying in India.
The Navi Mumbai court said that these eight women who hail from Bangladesh, had been illegally staying in the country and therefore needed to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment (RI), according to the established law of the land.
It was double whammy for the women as they were also fined, Rs 11,000 each by the court.
Additional Session Judge, KR Deshpande passed the order. The Mumbai Police had arrested these Bangladeshi nationals in December 2022 from Turbhe in Navi Mumbai.
The women had been arrested for staying in India without valid documents. Two FIRs had been filed against them, said officials.
The judge in his order said that the women had been found guilty of offences under Section 14(A) of the Foreigners Act, 1946 and also violating the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950.
They are sentenced to 25 months of rigorous imprisonment. Section 14(A) of the Foreigners Act, talks about penalty for entry in restricted areas in India.
The accused are all between the ages of 24 to 44 years.
The court also ordered them to be deported back to Bangladesh after they have completed their prison sentence and if they are not required in the case.
Altogether 14 prosecution witnesses were examined during the case, said the Additional Public Prosecutor EB Dhamal.
He added that the judge noted that the prosecution had been able to prove all charges against the accused beyond any doubt.
