Lucknow: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Jamaluddin, alias Chhangur Baba, after a special court in Lucknow granted custody of the conversion racket kingpin to the central probe agency for five days.
Chhangur Baba is accused of masterminding a large-scale religious conversion racket and receiving money from foreign sources. He and and his aide Neetu, alias Nasreen, were nabbed by UP ATS on July 5.
The ED is investigating massive financial irregularities, including suspicious transactions worth crores spread across 40 bank accounts, and at least two multi-crore properties.
ED had conducted searches on 14 premises – 12 in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur and 2 in Mumbai –earlier this month.
Individuals and properties allegedly linked to illegal religious conversions and financial irregularities were targeted by ED.
A small-time seller of gemstones and rings, Chhangur’s fortunes started skyrocketing from 2020. As he took on the role of a ‘pir’ and spiritual guide, there was a sudden rise in his wealth and status.
He convinced people that he had miraculous healing power. He gradually brainwashed his followers, and forced them to convert to Islam.
