Of the IPC/BNS crimes, foreigners were most often registered for forgery, 127 cases; followed by theft (112), cheating (78) and murder (45). Representative image. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
According to the latest NCRB data, the highest number of foreign nationals arrested in connection with criminal cases across the country were Bangladeshi nationals at 3,091 in 2024, followed by Nigerians at 509, Nepalis at 476 and Myanmar nationals at 245.
West Bengal recorded the highest number of crimes committed by foreigners among states at 992, while Delhi topped the Union Territories in both crimes committed by foreigners and crimes against them, a National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report showed.
Delhi recorded the highest number of crimes against foreigners among UTs with 64 cases.
In 2024, a total of 4,794 foreigners were arrested in criminal cases in the country, including 944 women and 11 transgender persons. They were most often reserved under the Aliens Act and the Aliens Registration Act, as well as under the Passport Act and the NDPS Act.
Of the IPC/BNS crimes, foreigners were most often registered for forgery, 127 cases; theft followed, 112; cheating, 78; and murder, 45.
Out of a total of 3,091 cases against Bangladeshi nationals, 1,676 cases were registered under the Aliens Act and Aliens Registration Act, 54.2% of the total. The passport law followed with 1,283 cases, i.e. 41.5%.
Of the 509 cases involving Nigerians, the highest number was reported under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) at 259, followed by 136 under the Aliens and Aliens Registration Act.
Nepalese nationals were mostly registered under the NDPS Act, with 129 cases, or 27.1% of the total 476 cases. This was followed by other offenses under the Special and Local Law (SLL) with 112 cases, i.e. 23.5%, and theft with 90 cases, i.e. 18.9%.
NCRB data showed that crimes against foreigners increased from 238 cases in 2023 to 257 in 2024. Maharashtra recorded the highest number of such cases among states at 41, followed by Karnataka with 32.
The category accounted for the highest number of theft cases at 62, followed by ‘other IPC/BNS offences’ 41, ‘other SLL offences’ 28 and cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 25.
The report also noted 20 cases of rape, 17 cases of assault on women with intent to outrage modesty, 15 cases of murder, and 13 cases of kidnapping and abduction with foreign victims.
Of the 257 foreign victims, 156 were tourists and 101 were other nationals residing or residing in the country.
Nepalese nationals accounted for the highest number of foreign victims at 71, followed by Bangladeshi nationals at 52, Myanmar nationals at 16 and United States nationals at 15.
Published – 08 May 2026 07:08 IST
