Infiltration of Faith: Inside the Chhangur Baba Conversion Racket

A special PMLA court in Lucknow granted five-day custody of Chhangur Baba to the Enforcement Directorate for a money-laundering probe. Baba and associates, accused of illegal religious conversion in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly received Rs 60 crore in foreign funds, fueling unlawful activities and property acquisitions.

A special PMLA court in Lucknow on Monday granted a five-day custody of Chhangur Baba to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a money-laundering investigation, officials said. Baba, accused of running an illegal religious conversion racket in Uttar Pradesh, is under scrutiny along with his associates.

The accused, also known as Jalaluddin or Karimulla Shah, has been incarcerated in connection with another case. The ED's request for custody was granted, allowing interrogation until August 1. The investigation focuses on funds reportedly totaling Rs 60 crore found across 22 bank accounts, including international transactions.

Authorities allege that Chhangur Baba masterminded a large-scale conversion operation out of the Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur. The operation purportedly targeted economically disadvantaged individuals, with funds diverted to real estate ventures, raising national security concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)