Latest news with #UttarPradeshProhibitionofUnlawfulReligiousConversionAct
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Chhangur Baba's financial web unravels, Rs 68 crore found in 18 bank accounts
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a significant financial trail linked to self-styled godman Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, accused of running a large-scale illegal religious conversion network. Of the 30 suspected bank accounts under investigation, details of 18 have surfaced, revealing transactions worth Rs 68 to sources, the ED found that nearly Rs 7 crore was transferred into these accounts from foreign sources within just three months. These accounts are reportedly part of a wider financial web, with several more bank details yet to be accessed by the its ongoing probe, the ED is closely examining property records and income tax returns related to Chhangur Baba. Officials said that the team is gathering even the minutest financial details and may take decisive action soon. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has exposed a coded communication system used by Chhangur Baba to operate the conversion racket. ATS sources revealed that he used words like 'project' to identify targeted women, 'mitti palatna' for religious conversion, 'kajal karna' to indicate mental manipulation, and 'deedar' for orchestrated meetings with allege that Chhangur Baba ran his operation from the Chand Auliya Dargah and held over 100 bank accounts across India and the past three years, he has reportedly received close to Rs 500 crore in foreign funding, Rs 300 crore through illegal channels via Nepal's border districts like Kathmandu and Banke, and Rs 200 crore through official routes. The funding is suspected to have originated from Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the response, the Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its crackdown. A 40-room mansion worth Rs 5 crore, allegedly built illegally by Chhangur Baba in Balrampur, was demolished. Other properties in Bahraich and neighbouring districts are also under Baba was arrested on Saturday along with his aide Neetu alias Nasreen, both residents of Madhpur in Balrampur district. A non-bailable warrant had been issued against Baba, with a cash reward of Rs 50,000 announced for information leading to his duo has been remanded to Lucknow District Jail following court proceedings. The case was filed at the Gomtinagar police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
UP conversion racket: ATS looks to trace illegal funding channels, identify benami properties
Lucknow, The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad has taken custody of Jalaluddin and his aide Nasreen to uncover the full extent of their alleged religious conversion racket, trace illegal funding channels, and identify benami properties, officials said on Thursday. UP conversion racket: ATS looks to trace illegal funding channels, identify benami properties Additional Director General Amitabh Yash told reporters that "the gang's money trail, its spread across various regions, and how illegally acquired assets were used or legitimised will be investigated". Action under the Gangsters Act and demolition of such properties will also be pursued, he said. Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad on Wednesday secured a week-long custody of Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba and his associate Neetu alias Nasreen. Four people had been arrested in connection with the case. While Chhangur Baba and Nasreen were arrested last Saturday, two other co-accused, Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Jalaluddin's son Mehboob, were arrested in April. Yash, when asked how many conversions had taken place through this racket, said that since the gang had allegedly operated for over 15 years, the scale is likely to be significant. However, it was premature to state a precise number until the investigation is completed, he said. Responding to a question on why only four people had been arrested when nine names have surfaced in the case, the police officer said arrests are made only after sufficient evidence is collected against each individual. "The ATS has already arrested those against whom solid evidence was available," he said. On reports linking Jalaluddin with mafia-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died last year, Yash said all such connections were being verified and no formal statement would be issued until confirmed. On the involvement of the Enforcement Directorate , Yash confirmed that the agency has requested a copy of the FIR from the ATS. "At this stage, we have no further information regarding a money laundering investigation from the police headquarters," he said. Investigators allege that the racket targeted poor labourers, widows, and vulnerable individuals, who were allegedly coerced, misled with financial incentives, or manipulated through marriage proposals. The case, registered at the ATS police station in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, includes charges under BNS Sections 121A , 153A , 417 , 420 , and provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UP conversion racket: ATS looks to trace illegal funding channels, identify benami properties
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad has taken custody of Jalaluddin and his aide Nasreen to uncover the full extent of their alleged religious conversion racket , trace illegal funding channels , and identify benami properties , officials said on Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash told reporters that "the gang's money trail, its spread across various regions, and how illegally acquired assets were used or legitimised will be investigated".Action under the Gangsters Act and demolition of such properties will also be pursued, he Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Wednesday secured a week-long custody of Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba and his associate Neetu alias people had been arrested in connection with the case. While Chhangur Baba and Nasreen were arrested last Saturday, two other co-accused, Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Jalaluddin's son Mehboob, were arrested in when asked how many conversions had taken place through this racket, said that since the gang had allegedly operated for over 15 years, the scale is likely to be significant. However, it was premature to state a precise number until the investigation is completed, he to a question on why only four people had been arrested when nine names have surfaced in the case, the police officer said arrests are made only after sufficient evidence is collected against each individual."The ATS has already arrested those against whom solid evidence was available," he reports linking Jalaluddin with mafia-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died last year, Yash said all such connections were being verified and no formal statement would be issued until the involvement of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Yash confirmed that the agency has requested a copy of the FIR from the ATS. "At this stage, we have no further information regarding a money laundering investigation from the police headquarters," he allege that the racket targeted poor labourers, widows, and vulnerable individuals, who were allegedly coerced, misled with financial incentives, or manipulated through marriage case, registered at the ATS police station in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, includes charges under BNS Sections 121A (waging war against the state), 153A (promoting enmity), 417 (cheating), 420 (fraud), and provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Chhangur Baba a criminal, played with women's dignity: Yogi Adityanath lauds arrest
Days after the arrest of Jalaluddin, also known as Chhangur Baba, in connection with an alleged religious conversion racket, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that preliminary investigations indicate the accused's actions are both anti-social and 'anti-national.'"We arrested a violent criminal in Balarampur who used to play with women's dignity... We will not let the society break and also destroy anti-national, anti-social elements; as well as protect the planet...," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said while addressing a public further linked the arrest of Chhangur Baba to broader efforts against anti-social and anti-national elements, saying, 'We will not let society break apart. We will crush anti-national and anti-social elements.' "In the initial probe, it has come to light that the activities of the accused Jalaluddin are not only against society but also against the nation,' he further zero tolerance for violations of law and order, Adityanath announced strict legal action against those involved."You can see that action is being taken against anti-social and anti-national elements. In Balrampur, we arrested a man who was acting like an executioner. He was involved in dishonouring Hindu women and girls and used to make deals involving money. But now strict action is being taken against such people. We will not allow our society to be divided, and we will continue taking action against such anti-national elements."Chhangur Baba was arrested on Saturday by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad along with his aide, Neetu alias Nasreen. Both are residents of Madhpur in Balrampur district. A non-bailable warrant had been issued against Chhangur Baba, and a cash reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for information leading to his two were produced in court and remanded to Lucknow District case, filed at the Gomtinagar police station in Lucknow, invokes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. Authorities allege the accused were involved in an organized effort to convert individuals from Hindu and non-Muslim communities to to a police statement, 'The poor, helpless labourers, weaker sections, and widowed women were lured with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage, or forced through intimidation, in violation of established procedures for religious conversion by the accused.'Earlier, two other individuals connected to the case—Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Mehboob, the son of Jalaluddin—were arrested on April 8. They are also from Balrampur and currently lodged in Lucknow District Tuesday, authorities in Balrampur carried out demolition actions against illegal constructions attributed to Chhangur Baba and his associates.'The properties constructed on government land illegally by Chhangur and his gang members are being demolished after following due legal process,' said Vikas Kumar, Superintendent of Balrampur Police.- EndsWith PTI inputsMust Watch
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
ED registers money laundering case in U.P. religious conversion racket
The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case in connection with a religious conversion racket recently busted in Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur district, official sources said Wednesday (July 9, 2025). The agency has pressed various sections under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to look into the possible generation of "proceeds of crime" by the accused, they said. Also Read | Row after RSS-backed magazine accuses Amazon of religious conversion The probe by the central agency stems from an FIR filed by the U.P. Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) at a police station in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. The police have alleged that the accused acted in an organised manner to convert individuals from Hindu and other non-Muslim communities to Islam. Four people, including the alleged mastermind Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, have been arrested by the ATS as part of the investigation. The three others are Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Mehboob, Jalaluddin's son apart from Neetu alias Nasreen. They are lodged in jail currently. The police had said in a statement that "the poor, helpless labourers, weaker sections, and widowed women were lured with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage, or forced through intimidation, in violation of established procedures for religious conversion by the accused". The ED is trying to quantify the illicit funds generated in this case and the possible volume of the proceeds of crime under the PMLA. The accused will be questioned in due course of time, the sources said. U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that "initial probe" has shown that the activities of accused Jalaluddin are "not only against society but also against the nation". Asserting that there will be no leniency in matters related to law and order in the state, the chief minister stated, "The properties of the accused and other criminals linked to his gang will be seized, and strict legal action will be taken against them."
