The Centre has been rapped for "not taking firm and resolute" action against over three crore illegal Bangladeshi migrants by a Delhi court which expressed concern over their involvement in large number of crimes like robberies, dacoities, murder and rape in the national capital.

The court, which awarded life sentence to a Bangladeshi national in a murder case, said their influx has become a major challenge requiring government intervention as they are not only enjoying all benefits at the cost of citizens but the country has become a haven for all these criminal elements. The court was seized with the case in which a habitual offender, who was deported from India, had returned illegally and committed the murder.

"Bangladeshi influx is one of the major challenges being faced by our country in recent times and is a matter of national concern. This serious issue requires urgent political debate, governmental intervention and concerted action, before it becomes a little too late," Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said in the 162-page judgment. The court made the remarks while awarding life sentence to Mohd Khairul, a Bangladesh native, for murdering Abdul Sattar, who was allegedly having illicit affair with his wife.

While sentencing Khairul, the court said these criminals of Bangladeshi origin regularly cross over to India in large numbers taking advantage of the "porous" borders and terrain and escape back with the booty which they rob Indians of. "It pains me to observe that most of the time the administration is helpless. It is the citizens of this country who have the first right over its resources. "In a nation fragmenting under economic, religious, caste and other divides, these criminals find it very easy to make a place for themselves by conveniently integrating with the local population without the citizens having to suspect their intent. They come, plunder and go and this has become regular affair having a definite crime pattern," the judge said.

The court said that undue sympathy to these "ruthless infiltrators" who are the members of professional gangs of dacoits having no emotional attachment to the citizens of India would be misplaced. "Our country has become a haven for all these criminal elements who are most ruthless and brutal with anybody who come in their way. "While the genuine citizens of this country continue to suffer in abject poverty, what is it that prevents a firm, resolute, intense government action against these three crore Bangladeshi nationals illegally staying in India, enjoying all benefits which are otherwise the entitlements of citizens," the court said.

It added, "It is this lack of concerted governmental / administrative action which has compelled the courts of law to step in". It also imposed a fine of Rs 1,02,000 on 33-year-old Khairul and said that if realised, Rs one lakh be given to 25-year-old Abdul's family as compensation. It directed the competent authority to deport Khairul to Bangladesh immediately after completion of his sentence.

According to the prosecution, on the intervening night of October 17­18, 2011 Khairul along with his wife Parveen and Joshim (both not arrested) murdered Abdul at Wazirpur here. It said that Khairul being a Bangladeshi national was found residing in India without any valid documents on August 1, 2012. Police said Khairul murdered Abdul as he was against the illicit relations of the victim with his wife. Khairul had borrowed some money from Abdul and he was unable to return it due to which the victim was exploiting the situation by maintaining intimate/illicit relations with his wife.