The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case against Shamsul Huda, a madrasa teacher originally from Uttar Pradesh who has been residing in the United Kingdom for several years. The action has been taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following an investigation conducted by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
According to officials, the case pertains to serious financial irregularities, including allegedly drawing government salary and pension benefits while living abroad, along with suspected links to foreign entities and questionable financial transactions.
Government Salary Drawn While Living Abroad
Investigations revealed that Shamsul Huda was appointed as an assistant teacher on July 12, 1984, at Darul Uloom Ahle Sunnat Madrasa Ashrafia in Mubarakpur, Azamgarh.
However, despite shifting abroad in 2007, he allegedly continued to receive:
- Regular salary increments
- Government benefits without verification
- Voluntary retirement approval in 2017
- Post-retirement pension payments
Officials stated that mandatory service record verification was not carried out during this period, allowing the accused to continue receiving government funds while staying overseas.
British Citizenship and Foreign Travel Raise Red Flags
The ATS probe further revealed that Shamsul Huda acquired British citizenship on December 19, 2013, after which he continued to travel frequently across several countries.
- Investigating agencies suspect that:
- He maintained contacts in Pakistan
- Had connections with certain individuals in Jammu and Kashmir
- Operated a network through associates based in India
- May have received or routed funds through foreign sources
Based on these findings, the ATS recommended a detailed financial investigation, following which the ED initiated proceedings under the PMLA.
Madrasa Sealed, Multiple FIRs Already Registered
As part of the investigation:
- An FIR was registered in Sant Kabir Nagar
- The concerned madrasa was sealed
- Two earlier cases were already registered against him in Azamgarh and Sant Kabir Nagar
Authorities confirmed that the case involves alleged misuse of public funds, forged documentation, and potential violations of foreign exchange and national security laws.
ED Expands Probe Into Financial Trail
Senior ED officials said the investigation is now focused on tracing:
- Source of foreign funds
- Bank accounts linked to the accused
- Property transactions in India and abroad
- Possible hawala or illegal fund transfers
- Links to foreign entities or individuals
Officials have not ruled out seeking assistance from international agencies, including Interpol, if cross-border financial links are established.
Officials: Case Not Limited to Financial Irregularities
According to sources familiar with the probe:
“This is not just a case of wrongful salary or pension. The investigation is examining whether the funds were misused for activities that may pose a threat to national security.”
The ED is also examining whether the accused violated provisions related to foreign citizenship while continuing to avail government benefits in India.
What Lies Ahead
The Enforcement Directorate is expected to:
- Summon individuals linked to the case
- Conduct further financial audits
- Attach properties if proceeds of crime are established
- Expand the probe under PMLA provisions
Officials indicated that further disclosures are likely as the investigation progresses.
The case of Shamsul Huda highlights serious lapses in monitoring government employees and the misuse of public funds. With allegations involving foreign citizenship, financial irregularities, and possible international links, the matter has now taken on significant legal and security dimensions.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as enforcement agencies dig deeper into the financial and international trail linked to the case.
