New Delhi [India], July 18 (ANI): TheEnforcement Directorate(ED) has identified fixed assets acquired by Jalaluddin Shah aliasChhangur Babawhich were supposedly registered under the names of his close associates in an attempt to hide his direct participation in money laundering.
The immediate associates were Naveen Rohra, known as Jamaluddin, and Neetu Rohra, known as Nasreen, whose information emerged following the ED's raids on July 17 at 15 sites connected toChhangur Baba, his close associate and others in Lucknow's Balrampur district and Mumbai under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
These disclosures are set to have a significant impact on theChhangur Baba religious conversion case.
https://x.com/dir_ed/status/1946205783630516267
The ED in a statement said, "The evidence gathered during the searches showed that all the fixed assets acquired byChhangur Babaare mentioned in the names of his associates Naveen Rohra and Neetu Rohra to hide his real participation in money laundering.
Throughout the investigation, ED mentioned that officials also found "a number of physical documents considered essential for the current inquiry." These events are part of a broader examination into unlawful financial activities and the suspected use of intermediaries to conceal the actual ownership of properties.
The ED launched an inquiry following the First Information Report filed by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in Lucknow, under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, accusing of a major conspiracy related to illegal religious activities.conversions, use of foreign financing, and actions that could potentially endanger national security.
ED also said that Chhangur Babaand his associates are said to have created a wide-ranging network based at the premises of Chand Auliya Dargah, Balrampur, where he frequently held major events that drew both Indian and international participants.
He is charged with consistently enticing, pressuring, and influencing people of different faiths, especially Scheduled Castes, and economically marginalized individuals who follow Hinduism, to convert to a religion.conversion", added the ED.
Throughout the investigation, the ED stated that 22 bank accounts are connected toChhangur Babaand his colleagues have been examined up to now.
Based on the examination of these bank accounts, money exceeding Rs 60 crore was received byChhangur Babaand the individuals associated with him have been recognized, the federal agency said.
It is also disclosed that a significant portion of funds has been obtained from overseas nations byChhangur Baba"and his colleagues," noted the ED.
During the investigations, several documents were confiscated, which indicated that money, essentially derived from criminal activities, was primarily sent to various individuals for acquiring multiple immovable assets valued in crores of rupees and for undertaking construction work on these properties, it stated.
ED initiated a formal inquiry againstChhangur Baba, who is accused of serious religious-related chargesconversions, misuse of international funds, and actions that might endanger national security and disrupt social cohesion.
On July 9, ED filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) againstChhangur BabaUnder the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an investigation was conducted into money laundering offenses, and it was found that he possesses assets valued at Rs 106 crore, primarily received from the Middle East through 40 bank accounts.
As part of its investigation, the ED requested specific details on July 10 regardingChhangur Babafrom local law enforcement agencies, the District Magistrate, and various financial institutions.
Authorities stated that the investigation seeks to identify the origin and final purpose of foreign funds reportedly received by individuals or entities associated withChhangur Baba.
The agency believes that these funds could have been redirected for illegal purposes, such as organizing religiousconversions and causing disturbances in public order.
The ED's move occurs against the backdrop of increasing examination of financial transactions associated with groups being investigated for breaching the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and the PMLA.
Throughout the investigation, ED sent a letter to the Superintendent of Police ATS Lucknow on July 10, requesting a "certified copy of the First Information Report registered against"Chhangur Baba(real name Karimulla Shah) on November 16, 2024, information about organizations linked to him, banking details connected to him and his associates, and data regarding movable and real estate assets.
The federal authority had also sent a letter to the Balrampur District Magistrate asking for information regarding the assets ofChhangur Babaand his colleagues. Emails have been dispatched to the AML (Anti-Money Laundering) units of the relevant banks in order to acquire bank account statements for the accounts specified in the FIR.
During the inquiry under PMLA, ED stated, it has come to light thatChhangur BabaWas taken into custody together with his close associate Neetu, known as Nasreen, at a hotel in Lucknow on July 5 by the Lucknow ATS.
A person living in Madpur village located in the Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh,Chhangur Baba, Neetu known as Nasreen, and others are charged with participation in a major conspiracy related to illegal religious activitiesconversions, use of foreign financial resources, and actions that could potentially endanger national security and social cohesion, the ED stated in a release earlier this month.
Authorities stated, via his religious lectures, the release of a book named Shijra-e-Tayyaba, and targeted psychological impact,Chhangur Babais charged with advocating for Islam while deliberately influencing, pressuring, and deceiving people from different beliefs—especially Hindus, Scheduled Castes, and those in economically vulnerable positions—towards a religious conversionconversion.
These actions were part of a larger coordinated initiative to execute large-scaleconversionand accumulate riches through fraudulent methods. FIR further disclosed thatChhangur Babaaccumulated assets surpassing Rs 100 crore within a few years, reportedly obtained via this structured network," stated the officials.
According to the officials, Chhangur Bababought land and carried out large-scale unauthorized construction—such as homes, businesses, and public buildings—without securing the necessary land development permissionsconversion approvals. (ANI)
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