ED Raids In UP, Mumbai Over Religious Conversion Racket Of “Chhangur baba”

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out raids at multiple locations in Uttar Pradesh as well as in Bandra and Mahim in Mumbai as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation into an alleged religious conversion racket linked to Jalaluddin, also known as “Chhangur Baba.”

According to sources, at least 14 premises were searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), including 12 in Balrampur district and two in Mumbai. The raids began around 5 am, with ED officials conducting the operation in the presence of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, who provided security cover.

In Mumbai, the ED raided the residences of a person named Shehzad Sheikh, one in Bandra and another in Rizvi Heights, Mahim. Sheikh, who was present at his Bandra residence, was also questioned by the ED.

On July 9, the central agency registered a money laundering case to investigate the activities and financial dealings of Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, alleged to be the mastermind behind a large-scale illegal religious conversion racket operating in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district. Jalaluddin, whose real name is Karimulla Shah, hails from Balrampur.

Jalaluddin, his son Mehboob, and associates Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Neetu alias Nasreen were recently arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and are currently in judicial custody.

Earlier, the ED revealed that Jalaluddin had allegedly amassed funds amounting to approximately ₹106 crore, primarily from sources in the Middle East. These funds were reportedly routed through 40 bank accounts linked to him and his associates.

The agency further alleged that Jalaluddin had established an extensive network operating from the premises of the Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur, where he frequently held large gatherings attended by both Indian and foreign nationals.

The ED filed the PMLA case following an FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh ATS at a police station in Gomtinagar, Lucknow. The FIR invoked various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.

The UP police have alleged that Jalaluddin, alias Chhangur Baba, operated in an organised manner to convert individuals from Hindu and other non-Muslim communities to Islam.