<p>A <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/three-bangladeshi-nationals-convicted-for-illegal-stay-in-country-were-nabbed-from-thane-23601469" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced two Bangladeshi</a> women to two years' imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to illegally entering India and residing in the country without valid travel documents.</p>
<p>The court also directed that the two women be deported to Bangladesh after completing their prison sentences and fulfilling all legal formalities.</p>
<h2>Court accepts guilty plea</h2>
<p>Additional Sessions Judge V. G. Mohite passed the order on Tuesday after the two accused, Shahnaj Bilal Saddar (43) and Hasina Jabbar Khan (45), admitted to the charges against them.</p>
<p>Before accepting their plea, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/bangladeshi-woman-convicted-by-thane-court-for-illegal-stay-to-be-deported-23603185" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">the court</a> sought to ascertain whether it had been made voluntarily.</p>
<p>The judge recorded that he had specifically asked the accused whether they had been subjected to any inducement, threat or promise by jail authorities or any other person to plead guilty.</p>
<p>"In these circumstances, I am satisfied that their plea is voluntary," the judge observed.</p>
<h2>Convicted under Foreigners Act and Passport Act</h2>
<p>The court convicted both women for offences under the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.</p>
<p>In addition to sentencing them to two years' imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of the accused.</p>
<p>Since the women had remained in judicial custody since their arrest on December 3, 2024, the court granted them the benefit of a set-off for the period they have already spent in custody, in accordance with legal provisions.</p>
<h2>Defence seeks leniency</h2>
<p>During the hearing, the defence counsel sought a lenient sentence, arguing that both women came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.</p>
<p>The counsel submitted that they were married, had no previous criminal record and were the sole earning members of their respective families.</p>
<p>The defence also filed an application informing the court that both accused intended to plead guilty to the charges.</p>
<h2>Arrest followed anti-human trafficking operation</h2>
<p>According to the prosecution, the women were arrested on December 3, 2024, during a raid conducted by the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of the police in the Mira Road area of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/thane-court-orders-deportation-of-bangladeshi-national-for-illegal-stay-23497148" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Thane district</a>.</p>
<p>Investigators alleged that the two women had entered India illegally from Bangladesh and were residing in rented accommodation arranged by a co-accused.</p>
<p>During the investigation, police concluded that they had neither valid travel documents nor legal authorisation to remain in India.</p>
<h2>Court orders deportation after completion of sentence</h2>
<p>After convicting the two women, the court directed that they be deported to <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/three-bangladeshi-men-get-five-year-ri-for-armed-dacoity-in-thane-district-23221361" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bangladesh</a> upon completion of their prison terms and after all necessary legal procedures are completed.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from PTI)</strong></p>

A Thane court sentenced two Bangladeshi women to two years in jail for illegal stay in India and ordered their deportation after release

Two Bangladeshi women get two-year imprisonment for illegal stay in Thane

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The judge recorded that he had specifically asked the accused whether they had been subjected to any inducement, threat or promise by jail authorities or any other person to plead guilty

Thane court sentences two Bangladeshi women to two years for illegal stay, orders deportation

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