Pregnant Bangladeshi woman gives birth in detention; Bengaluru police provide medical care before deportation

A 22-year-old pregnant Bangladeshi woman detained under the Bengaluru City Police’s Operation Mukta gave birth to her second daughter while staying at a temporary detention facility in Bengaluru Rural district. The police subsequently arranged medical treatment and ensured that both the mother and newborn were cared for before being deported.

Asma Khatoon, wife of Rabibul Badsha, was traced and detained by a team from Parappana Agrahara police station on August 17 as part of the operation against illegal immigrants. She was reportedly around eight months pregnant at the time.

On August 24, Khatoon delivered a baby girl at the facility. She was subsequently admitted to Ghosha Hospital in Shivajinagar for post-delivery treatment. After receiving medical care, she was discharged on August 28 and taken back to the facility.

A woman police constable, Sheela, was assigned to look after Khatoon and the newborn. Police personnel reportedly provided food and medical assistance.

Officials said the team ensured that the woman received necessary treatment and that the newborn was properly cared for. “We ensured that, though they are illegal immigrants, their human rights should not be violated at any cost,” M. Narayana, DCP (Electronics City) said.

The mother and her nine-day-old baby were subsequently escorted for deportation following an FRRO order. According to the police, 31 detained Bangladeshi nationals were transported by train to Malda in a reserved compartment and handed over to the West Bengal authorities for further deportation-related procedures.

The Operation Mukta campaign is continuing across Bengaluru to identify and trace illegal immigrants. The police said around 100 persons have been detained so far and housed at different detention facilities and NGO-run centres until the completion of the deportation process.