ED Conducts Nationwide Raids in Chhangur Baba Religious Conversion Case
14 Locations Searched Across UP and Mumbai
In a major development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday launched coordinated raids at 14 different locations, intensifying its probe into the high-profile Chhangur Baba religious conversion case. The raids began at 5 AM and covered 12 premises in Utraula (Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh) and 2 locations in Mumbai.
These actions are part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following allegations of large-scale illegal religious conversions, foreign funding misuse, and activities that could threaten communal harmony and national security.
ECIR Registered, ₹106 Crore Under Scanner
The ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba on July 9, citing serious financial and national security concerns. As per official sources:
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Chhangur Baba is alleged to have received ₹106 crore, mostly from Middle East-based sources.
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The funds were spread across 40 bank accounts suspected to be linked to illegal conversion operations.
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The money trail and foreign remittances are being closely scrutinized to uncover violations of FCRA and PMLA norms.
ATS Arrests & Demolition Actions
On July 5, Lucknow ATS arrested Chhangur Baba and his close aide Neetu alias Nasreen from a hotel in Lucknow. They remain in custody until July 16.
Meanwhile, the district administration initiated demolition proceedings against illegally constructed properties owned by Chhangur Baba and his associates, particularly in Madhupur village, Balrampur.
ED’s Communication Trail
The ED’s probe has involved:
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Sending official letters to the Superintendent of Police, ATS Lucknow, for FIRs, entity associations, and asset records.
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Requesting property details from the Balrampur District Magistrate.
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Writing to AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Cells of relevant banks to retrieve transactional histories of accounts mentioned in FIRs.
Nature of Allegations: Conversion, Coercion & Asset Hoarding
According to ED’s preliminary findings, Chhangur Baba orchestrated a mass religious conversion network:
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Organized events from Chand Auliya Dargah, regularly attended by Indian and foreign nationals.
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Utilized books (Shijra-e-Tayyaba) and religious discourses to psychologically influence and coerce vulnerable groups—including Hindus, SC/ST communities, and the economically poor—into conversion.
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Built a wealth empire worth over ₹100 crore, purchasing land and building commercial and residential structures illegally, often bypassing land-use regulations.
The agency also suspects that the foreign contributions received were not just undeclared, but potentially diverted to activities threatening internal security.
Broader Context and Legal Scrutiny
This case unfolds amidst heightened scrutiny of NGOs and religious organizations under FCRA and PMLA regulations. The ED has widened its investigation, analyzing financial statements, land holdings, and ownership links to map the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.
Further legal action is anticipated as authorities gather digital and physical evidence from the ongoing raids.
Conclusion
The Chhangur Baba case underscores the growing intersection between religious extremism, financial fraud, and national security. As ED deepens its probe into the origin and end-use of foreign funds, the case may have far-reaching implications for non-state actors leveraging religious conversions for monetary gains.
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