Kenyan citizen living in Indore for 27 years without passport:Police uncover expired visa, missing passport and provocative social media posts during intensified citywide verification

Indore Police have heightened vigilance following the recent blast in Delhi. As part of tightened security measures, officers are collecting details of tenants from landlords across the city. However, an alarming lapse has surfaced: the police claim to have no current information about Richard S. Maika, a Kenyan national who has been living in Indore for 27 years despite his visa having expired long ago. According to police officials, Maika has been residing in the city without a passport or valid visa for decades. Foreign nationals entering India on a visa are legally required to register their details with both the local police and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Maika has allegedly violated all mandatory procedures. Shockingly, the police had registered an FIR against him seven years ago for living in India without providing the required information. Despite this, no measures were taken to deport him or regularise his status. Maika continues to live freely and even uses an Indian mobile number. When questioned over the phone by Dainik Bhaskar about living without valid documents, Maika responded- “I don’t even have a passport, what can I do? Many rules have changed now. A case is also pending in court.” Indian mobile number and provocative social media activity Maika possesses a mobile number issued by a private telecom operator in India. Authorities have no clarity on what basis this number was issued to him. His Facebook account has thousands of followers and contains multiple posts and videos that are provocative in nature, including content encouraging violence. Some posts include statements such as, ‘Even though Uganda is surrounded, the Indian Ocean is also ours.”Several graphic images displaying bloodshed are also visible. Notably, he does not have a single Indore resident on his friend list. Legal provisions and penalties High Court Advocate Krishna Kumar Kunhare explained that before 2025, police would file cases against foreign nationals staying illegally under Section 14(A) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, applicable to those overstaying after visa expiry. Legal expert Dr Rupali added that the FRRO has constitutional authority to inspect, identify, investigate, take action, and deport undocumented immigrants residing anywhere in India. Mandatory registration rules According to Additional DCP (Crime Branch) Rajesh Dandotiya, hotels must maintain detailed records of foreign guests and submit C-forms to the FRRO. Landlords accommodating foreign nationals must also submit tenant details via the same portal. Failure to provide this information can lead to strict action. Foreigners overstaying and involved in crime Instances of foreigners overstaying visas and getting involved in crime continue across India, including Delhi. Recently, Indore’s Narcotics Wing arrested Linda Odio Cote (25), an African student residing in the Residency area, with ₹15 lakh worth of cocaine. Officials suspect her passport is fake.