THE Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has found that Chhangur Baba, being investigated in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged illegal religious conversion racket in Uttar Pradesh, had received funds worth Rs 60 crore in 22 bank accounts, including “large amounts” from abroad. The federal probe agency said this in a statement after it concluded searches at more than a dozen locations in Chhangur Baba’s native Balrampur district and two places in Mumbai.

 

The money-laundering case against Chhangur Baba alias Jalaluddin alias Karimulla Shah stems from a recent Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) FIR filed at a police station in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. Chhangur Baba, his son Mehboob and alleged associates Naveen Rohra alias Jamaluddin and Neetu alias Nasreen were arrested by the ATS. The ATS complaint alleges a “large-scale” conspiracy involving unlawful religious conversions, utilisation of foreign funds and activities posing a potential threat to national security.

 

“Chhangur Baba and his associates are alleged to have established an extensive network operating from the premises of the Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur, where he regularly organised large gatherings attended by both Indian and foreign nationals. “He is accused of systematically inducing, coercing individuals of other faiths, particularly SCs and the economically disadvantage belonging to Hindu religion, into religious conversion,” the ED said.