ED Searches 14 Locations Across UP, Mumbai Over Conversion Cases Linked To Changur Baba
Changur Baba, arrested for coercing Hindu women into conversion through romantic relationships, allegedly ran a financial fraud operation, routing ₹100 crore through shell accounts to acquire assets.
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday searched 14 locations across Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai over religious conversion and hawala cases linked to Changur Baba.
The searches were conducted at 14 locations, which included 12 in Balrampur's Utraula in Uttar Pradesh and two in Mumbai. The premises of Shehzad Sheikh, who received over Rs 1 crore from Chhangur Baba’s accounts, were also among the locations searched by the enforcement agency.
Jamaluddin, also known as Changur Baba, was nabbed by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Madhpur village of Balrampur district after evading capture for several months. The authorities had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash outlined the syndicate's operations, which allegedly weaponised romantic relationships to coerce Hindu women into religious conversion.
One of the most disturbing cases was of a woman from Lucknow, Gunja Gupta, who was reportedly lured by a man posing as "Amit" and taken to Changur Baba's shrine, where she was renamed Alina Ansari.
Investigation into the conversion row revealed that the group ran a dual operation involving religious manipulation and large-scale financial fraud.
According to reports, members of this syndicate reportedly travelled to Islamic countries nearly forty times and opened over 40 bank accounts linked to shell organisations. Around Rs 100 crore was routed through these accounts, allegedly sourced from abroad.
The members used the funds to acquire luxury vehicles, real estate, and commercial properties across Uttar Pradesh.
Neetu alias Nasreen is one of the members of the syndicate arrested by the police and is said to be a key figure in the group's activities.
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad is pursuing the remaining suspects, including persons identified as Mehboob, Pinky Harijan, Hazira Shankar, Sagir, and a person claiming to be a journalist, Amen Rizvi.
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