Uttar Pradesh: SIT To Probe Religious Conversion Charges Against IAS Officer

The development comes days after the IAS officer was seen in some video clips at a gathering at his home where religious conversion was being allegedly discussed.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe charges of anti-Hindu propaganda by senior IAS officer Mohammad Iftikharuddin.

The state Home Department said in a statement that a two-member SIT has been set up which will be headed by DG CB-CID G.L. Meena and ADG zone Bhanu Bhaskar.

The SIT has been asked to submit its report within seven days.

The development comes days after the IAS officer was seen in some video clips at a gathering at his home where religious conversion was being allegedly discussed.

In one of the purported videos, Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) chairman Mohammed Iftikharuddin can be seen sitting with a group of men, apparently clerics, and is heard saying that it is their duty to spread Islam to every home.

National Vice President of Math Mandir Coordination Committee, Bhupesh Awasthi, had alleged that Iftikharuddin was indulging in anti-Hindu propaganda. Awasthi released videos of religious programmes of the officer who was then the Kanpur Zone Commissioner.

It is alleged that in these videos, Iftikharuddin is telling people about the benefits of adopting Islam as a religion.

Meanwhile, Iftikharuddin has denied the charges levelled against him and told media that he has been misinterpreted.

Even CM Adityanath had summoned the Police Commissioner Aseem Arun to Lucknow on Tuesday in this regard.

"This is a serious matter. If there is any truth in it, it will be taken seriously," UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said. 

The Uttar Pradesh Police have made several arrests in recent past, including in Delhi, in connection with an alleged conversion racket. 

(With inputs from PTI and IANS.)