NIA nabs eleventh accused in ISIS Pune sleeper module case
The NIA Special Court had also issued a standing non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Rizwan, who the agency said was actively involved in promoting the terror activities of the designated foreign terror outfit, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
As part of the anti-India conspiracy of the ISIS, which is also known by various other names, Rizwan had played an active role in the reconnaissance and recce of various locations for use as terrorist hideouts, NIA said. He was also involved in conducting firing classes and training in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), as per NIA investigations in the case.
Along with the 10 other accused already arrested and in judicial custody, Rizwan had conspired to commit a series of terror acts to destabilise the country and spread communal disharmony.
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an hour ago
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Maharashtra: Auto driver assaulted for ‘anti-Marathi' remarks by persons linked to Uddhav Sena
An auto rickshaw driver was assaulted allegedly by a group of unidentified persons believed to be members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Saturday for making 'anti-Marathi' remarks, PTI reported. The driver, a migrant worker living in the Virar area, had earlier been recorded in a purported video in which he allegedly refused to speak Marathi and made 'derogatory' comments about the language, Maharashtra and Marathi icons. The clip was circulated widely online. On Saturday, he was allegedly attacked near Virar railway station by a group that included several women. Another video, showing the assault, was also shared on social media. The attackers reportedly forced the man to publicly apologise to a resident and his sister, accusing him of misbehaving with her earlier, PTI reported. He was also asked to apologise to the state for 'insulting' it and its linguistic and cultural heritage. No case has been registered in the matter so far. An unidentified police official told PTI, 'We have seen the viral video and are verifying the facts, but as of now, no complaint has been received from either party.' Uday Jadhav, a leader from the Uddhav Sena who was present at the scene, told reporters that the party would not remain silent if anyone insulted the Marathi language or people. 'The driver had the audacity to speak ill of Maharashtra and Marathi manoos,' PTI quoted him as saying. 'He was taught a befitting lesson. We made him apologise to the people of the state and to those he had offended.' The incident took place over a week after seven unidentified persons, believed to be members of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, assaulted a shopkeeper in Thane district for not speaking in Marathi. On July 5, suspected workers of the party also vandalised the Mumbai office of entrepreneur Sushil Kedia, a day after he posted on social media that he had lived in the city for 30 years without learning Marathi 'properly'. The incidents took place amid an escalating row in Maharashtra, triggered by the state government's move to make Hindi a 'generally' taught third language for Class 1 to Class 5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
‘Project, Kajal, Darshan': Chhangur Baba's Codewords For Religious Conversion Revealed
Last Updated: UP's STF uncovered a code system used by Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba for illegal religious conversions. Baba and his aide Neetu were arrested. The Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force (STF) has revealed a web of code words used by self-styled godman Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba to orchestrate a massive illegal religious conversion racket, luring several people, mostly women, with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage or forced through intimidation. According to the STF probing the case, Chhangur Baba used several codewords— Project, mitti palatna, kajal lagana and darshan— at various stages to convert one's faith and hide the true nature of his illegal activities, India Today reported. In this secret lingo, 'project" referred to women, ' mitti palatna" meant religious conversion, ' Kajal lagana" meant manipulation and ' darshan" referred to introducing the victims to Chhangur Baba. On July 5, Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind of a religious conversion gang, was arrested along with his aide, Neetu alias Nasreen. The two are residents of Madhpur in Balrampur district, bordering Nepal. Chhangur's arrest is currently under UP ATS custody for a 7-day remand till July 16. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing financial irregularities, including suspicious transactions worth over Rs 106 crore spread across 40 bank accounts, along with at least two properties reportedly worth crores. Who Is Chhangur Baba? Chhangur Baba is the alleged mastermind of a large illegal religious conversion racket based in Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh. As reported earlier, he had worked in gemstone sales and gained popularity after spending some time in Mumbai. Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said the accused ran a massive network that allegedly targeted girls from a particular religious background, with alleged caste-based 'conversion rates". Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has lauded the arrest, saying that early findings from the investigation indicated the accused was involved in activities that were not only against society but also against the country. Modus Operandi According to the STF, the accused told the investigators that he used several code words to communicate with his gang. Explaining the modus operandi, he told investigators that his aides would lure young people and ask them to convert their religion by luring them with financial incentives, foreign travel, jobs and scholarships. The operation is reported to have been supported by nearly Rs 100 crore in foreign funding, according to officials. Investigators found that the money was used to buy several luxury properties, bungalows, expensive vehicles, and showrooms. More than 40 bank accounts, some under false names, were used to transfer the funds, pointing towards money laundering. As per Amar Ujala, to influence people, Chhangur Baba would first offer small amounts of cash (Rs 100 to Rs 200 per day) along with basic jobs like cleaning or caring for animals at his residence. He then gradually pressured them to convert. Two accused, Mehboob and Naveen Rohra, were said to be in charge of this part of the operation, which generated income while expanding the reach of the network. The report mentioned that a man named Sanchit, who worked as a cleaner for Chhangur, claimed that he was offered Rs 5 lakh to convert. When he refused, he was falsely implicated in a rape case, according to Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) statement as cited in the report. view comments First Published: July 13, 2025, 15:58 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
" Mitti, Kajal, Darshan": Chhangur Baba's Code Words For Conversion "Project"
Project, mitti palatna, kajal lagana and darshan - these were the code words Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba used at various stages to convert one's faith as he lured several people, mostly women, with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage or forced through intimidation. While "project" referred to women, " mitti palatna" meant religious conversion. " Kajal lagana" meant manipulation and " darshan" referred to introducing the victims to Chhangur Baba. These details were revealed by the Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force (STF) on Saturday and emerged at a time the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is also probing the case, said 18 bank accounts linked to Chhangur Baba saw transactions worth Rs 68 crore. Around Rs 7 crore was deposited in these accounts in a span of three months. On July 5, Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind of a religious conversion gang, was arrested along with his aide, Neetu alias Nasreen. The two are residents of Madhpur in Balrampur district, bordering Nepal. A non-bailable warrant was issued by a court against Jalaluddin, while the police had declared a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for his arrest, an official statement said. MODUS OPERANDI According to the STF, Chhangur Baba, during the course of investigation, said he used several code words to communicate with his gang, in a bid to hide his activities. Explaining the modus operandi, Chhangur Baba told investigators that his aides would lure young women and men and ask them to convert their religion by luring them with financial incentives, foreign travel, jobs and scholarships. On Saturday, the STF said, a 16-year-old girl from Faridabad alleged she was one of the victims of the fraudster. The minor alleged she was trapped by one Aamir Hussain, who lives near her house, on the pretext of love. She said she met Hussain through his sister Neha Khan in 2023. The girl said Hussain took her to Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, where he introduced her to Chhangur Baba. The fraudster allegedly made her offer namaz and asked her to marry Hussain after converting to Islam. He also showed her "big dreams"; he gave her an amulet and asked her to dip it in water and drink the water. Hussain has been arrested. THREAT OVER REFUSAL TO CONVERT A man who claimed to have worked as a sweeper at Chhangur Baba's premises also alleged he was forced to convert to Islam by the fraudster. Sanjeet Kumar said he was six to seven months into the job when Chhangur Baba offered him a lot of money, saying it would be sufficient to ensure the sweeper's child gets married and is taken care of. Chhangur Baba said the money will help him purchase a car and a house, and improve his standard of living. Kumar said when he refused the offer, Chhangur Baba threatened him. The accused threatened him, saying he had spent a lot of money on him, and that he would get shot. The victim was forced to flee the place that night, he said. GLOBAL TRANSACTIONS WORTH CRORES Meanwhile, ED said it has gathered details of 18 out of 40 bank accounts linked to Chhangur Baba. Sources in the probe agency said these 18 accounts recorded transactions worth Rs 68 crore. These accounts received around Rs 7 crore through global funding in a span of three months. Efforts are being made to gather details pertaining to the accused's Income Tax Returns, the sources said. Chhangur Baba once used to sell rings and amulets on his bicycle. He later became a village head. Based on the documents found so far, it was confirmed that funds worth Rs 106 crore were deposited into his 40 different accounts, NDTV earlier reported. All this money came from Islamic countries of the Middle East, as per the probe. Last week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the "initial probe" revealed that the activities of the accused are "not only against society but also against the nation". (With inputs from Mukesh Sengar in Delhi)
