New Delhi: A UK-based radical Islamic preacher allegedly drew salary from the Uttar Pradesh government for four years even after leaving the country. This fact came to light after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money laundering case against Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan.
Khan, who is now a British citizen, was from UP’s Azamgarh, employed as an assistant teacher in a government- aided Madrasah.
He was appointed in 1984 and acquired British citizenship in 2013. It is however being alleged that he continued to draw a salary from 2013 to 2017, though he was neither an Indian citizen nor actively discharging his duties as a teacher.
The ED said on Friday that over the past two decades, Khan reportedly travelled to several foreign countries and is alleged to have received substantial funds amounting to several crores of rupees through 7-8 bank accounts
maintained in India. It has further been found that he acquired more than a dozen immovable properties, with an estimated value exceeding Rs 30 crore, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Khan is also known to have allegedly channeled funds to madrasahs via the NGO Raja Foundation, promoting a radical ideology. He also established two madrasahs in Azamgarh and Sant Kabir Nagar, the registrations of which were subsequently cancelled by the authorities.
The agency has initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on an FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS).
“Shamsul Huda Khan is accused of promoting radical ideology and engaging in illegal funding activities under the guise of religious education,” the agency has been quoted as saying by TNIE.
His links with radical organizations based in the United Kingdom are under examination. It is also suspected that he travelled to Pakistan. His alleged contacts with extremist organizations there are being probed.
Khan is also suspected to be a member of Pakistani radical organisation Dawat-e-Islami. The ED is currently examining the funding network, foreign linkages, and assets associated with the accused as part of its ongoing investigation.