Labour contractor moves SHRC alleging harassment by Bengaluru police
A migrant from West Bengal working as a labour contractor in Bengaluru approached the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) alleging illegal detention and continuous
A migrant from West Bengal working as a labour contractor in Bengaluru approached the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) alleging illegal detention and continuous harassment by personnel attached to Tilaknagar Police Station. He complained that he was wrongfully accused of being a Bangladeshi national, and subjected to repeated inquiries without due process. Interrogated for over 9 hours In a complaint submitted to the Commission on June 10, Mohammed Sheikh, a resident of Somasundarpalya, alleged that, on February 25, 2026, police personnel, including officials from Tilaknagar Police Station, detained him and took him to the police station for questioning.
According to the complaint, Sheikh, a labour contractor, was allegedly kept at the station from noon until 9.30 p.m. During this period, police officials reportedly questioned him extensively about his personal and professional life, family members, and native village in West Bengal. He claimed that his mobile phone was seized during the time he was detained, and returned only at the time of his release. The complainant claimed that police officials neither informed him of the reason for his detention nor furnished any document, or notice, explaining the basis of the inquiry. He alleged that police personnel continued to contact him even after his release.
The complaint further stated that a Sub-Inspector from Tilaknagar Police Station visited his locality on June 10, and sought identity and family-related documents belonging to his relatives, wife, daughter and parents. Sheikh alleged that the officer accused him of being a Bangladeshi national, and of facilitating the settlement of Bangladeshi migrants in Bengaluru. Repeated police inquiries Rejecting the allegations, Sheikh claimed that he had, in the past, cooperated with law enforcement agencies in identifying suspected illegal immigrants. He cited an operation conducted by Varthur police in March this year, during which he allegedly assisted the police in identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
Stating that he has been unemployed for the past few months and is facing financial difficulties, Sheikh said the repeated police inquiries and allegations have caused severe distress to him and his family. He added that the repeated visits by police officials could affect his housing situation. Sheikh has requested the Commission to order an inquiry into what he termed as illegal detention and harassment. He has also sought directions to the police to produce station diary records, CCTV footage, and documents relating to the inquiry initiated against him.
The BriefWire