The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has uncovered a massive religious conversion racket allegedly operated by a self-styled godman named Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, involving foreign funding, targeted exploitation of vulnerable women, and a structured network of operatives.
Key Allegations and Findings:
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Over 1,000 Hindu women targeted:ATS sources claim Chhangur Baba funded more than 1,000 Muslim men over the past three years to allegedly lure Hindu girls into relationships with the aim of religious conversion, often referred to in communal narratives as "love jihad."
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Rs 500 crore in foreign funding:Investigators say Baba received nearly ₹500 crore from several Muslim-majority countries, primarily through hawala channels routed via the Indo-Nepal border. These funds were allegedly used to incentivise and reward men involved in the conversion operations.
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Seven districts under scanner:The ATS is investigating activities across seven districts in Uttar Pradesh where these operations are believed to have been most active.
Arrests and Legal Action:
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Chhangur Baba and his associate Neetu (alias Nasreen) have been arrested and sent to seven-day ATS custody.
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Neetu allegedly managed the inflow and disbursement of foreign funds.
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Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Mehboob (Baba’s son) were arrested earlier and are currently lodged in Lucknow District Jail.
Financial Trail and Property Seizures:
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Large transactions from bank accounts of Baba, Neetu, Mehboob, and Naveen are under scrutiny.
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A Rs 5 crore mansion built by Baba in Balrampur, allegedly using illegal funds and constructed on government land, has been demolished using 10 bulldozers over 3 days.
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The mansion featured 40 rooms and a marble-clad security gate, highlighting the lavish misuse of illicit funds.
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ATS is now investigating property sellers and examining if land deals were part of a broader money laundering operation.
Possible International Links:
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The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are expected to join the probe, particularly to trace foreign bank accounts allegedly held by Chhangur in Dubai, Sharjah, and other UAE regions.
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Authorities suspect that the case could expose a wider network of religious conversion and extremist funding.
Broader Context:
This case adds fuel to ongoing political and social debates in India surrounding religious conversions, especially in polarised states like Uttar Pradesh, where "love jihad" laws have already been implemented. The scale, alleged foreign links, and financial flow in this case have made it a national security concern, not just a local criminal matter.
The investigation is expected to expand in scope, with more arrests likely, as authorities untangle the financial and operational web allegedly spun by Chhangur Baba and his associates.
