MUMBAI– The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has broadened its investigation into a sprawling religious conversion racket, conducting simultaneous raids in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh. The federal agency’s focus is on the financial underpinnings of the alleged operation, which purportedly used foreign funds to facilitate conversions and acquire properties. In Mumbai, two locations linked to Shahzad Sheikh, a suspected associate of the alleged mastermind Jamaluddin, also known as Chhangur Baba, were raided. Concurrently, the ED descended on 12 sites in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district, all connected to Chhangur Baba himself. These coordinated actions underscore the growing severity of the charges and the authorities’ determination to dismantle the network.
Unraveling the Financial Web: Foreign Funding and Illicit Transactions
A central pillar of the ED’s investigation is the alleged money laundering and foreign funding component of the racket. Investigators suspect that substantial financial transactions were conducted through various foreign bank accounts, indicating an international dimension to the illicit activities. Sources close to the investigation have revealed that over ₹1 crore was allegedly transferred to Shahzad Sheikh’s account by Naveen, another key associate of Chhangur Baba. Naveen, also known as Jamaluddin, and his wife, Neetu alias Nasreen—who owned the residence where Chhangur Baba lived—have already been apprehended and are currently in judicial custody alongside Baba. The financial trail is a critical focus for the ED as it seeks to fully expose the scope and scale of the alleged illegal operations.
The Modus Operandi: Coercion and Exploitation
The Uttar Pradesh Police initially unearthed the racket following a complaint regarding suspicious foreign funding used for property acquisitions within India. Their investigation shed light on the alleged modus operandi: targeting financially vulnerable non-Muslims, particularly widows, and allegedly luring them into conversion. The victims were reportedly offered financial assistance and false promises of marriage as incentives. Disturbingly, reports indicate that individuals were charged varying amounts, ranging from ₹8 to ₹16, depending on their background, for the conversions. Those who resisted were allegedly threatened with legal repercussions, highlighting the exploitative nature of the operation. The Lucknow Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) team had previously arrested Chhangur Baba and Nasreen earlier this month, marking a significant breakthrough in the case.
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Extensive Network and International Connections Uncovered
Police sources have further revealed the extensive reach of the alleged racket, indicating that its members have undertaken multiple trips to various Islamic countries. This suggests a broader international network supporting their activities. Furthermore, the investigation has uncovered a multitude of bank accounts linked to the operation, with transactions collectively amounting to an estimated ₹100 crore. These findings paint a picture of a highly organized and well-funded network operating across state and potentially international borders, underscoring the complexity and magnitude of the criminal enterprise authorities are working to dismantle.