Foreign funding for conversions? ED targets Chhangur Baba’s network in UP, Mumbai; Rs 100 cr trail found

Chhangur Baba

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted simultaneous searches at 14 locations across Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur and Mumbai, targeting properties linked to Jamaluddin, alias Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind of a religious conversion syndicate under investigation for a suspected Rs 100-crore foreign funding and money laundering racket.

According to a TOI report, the raids, backed by CRPF and civil police, began at 5 am and continued late into the evening. Twelve locations were raided in Balrampur, including a partially demolished 40-room mansion linked to Chhangur Baba, while two high-end Mumbai addresses - Kanakia Paris in Bandra East and Rizvi Heights in Mahim West - were searched over their ties to key aide Shehzad Sheikh.

Preliminary findings suggest Rs 68 crore was funnelled through 18 bank accounts, with at least Rs 7 crore received via foreign channels in just three months, officials were cited by TOI. Intelligence shared by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had flagged suspicious hawala transactions, bank transfers and remittances tied to the syndicate. Investigators suspect the funds financed illegal land deals, luxury assets, and mass religious conversions disguised as cultural events.

Among the first locations raided was Baba Tajuddin Boutique in Subhash Nagar, Utraula, allegedly run by Neetu, alias Nasreen, accused of counselling women for conversion. Women who agreed were reportedly taken to Chhangur Baba’s mansion, sources said.

The ED also searched the homes of Chhangur’s son Mehboob, associates Jamaluddin and Nasreen, and three former village heads - Jumman Khan, Durgesh Kumar and Santosh Trigunayat. A local lekhpal’s wife, Sangeeta Devi, was under scrutiny for allegedly entering a profit-sharing deal with the syndicate.

In Mumbai, documents seized indicated Rs 2 crore in suspicious transfers, allegedly routed through Balrampur resident Naveen to fund conversion activities. Expired passports of Neetu and Naveen, showing 19 UAE visits, were recovered. Chhangur Baba himself is suspected of using a fake passport for Dubai trips to oversee the network, TOI reported.