Chhangur Baba syndicate: ED uncovers 63cr fin irregularities

Lucknow: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), in its ongoing investigation into Chhangur Baba's syndicate, has uncovered financial irregularities amounting to Rs 63 crore, a significant portion of which allegedly originated from foreign sources and was used to fund alleged forced religious conversions, land purchases and construction activities.The ED said funds were funnelled through 22 bank accounts belonging to Chhangur and his aides. Major credits were received in the accounts of his associates Naveen Rohra and Neetu Rohra across various banks, including a private and three govt banks. It added that Rs 35 lakh and Rs 2.19 crore were received from UAE-based sources into two govt bank accounts linked to the accused. Funds were categorised as "proceeds of crime" under the PMLA by the ED.The ED alleged that Chhangur ran an organised conversion syndicate from the Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur. He reportedly used religious lectures, a book titled Shijra-e-Tayyaba, and psychological manipulation to influence individuals to convert.A forensic audit of bank records revealed Rs 3.45 crore was transferred to "Apna Ghar Construction" for building a cow shed, hospital and bungalow, though the total cost was shown as Rs 12 crore. Intriguingly, only Rs 5.7 crore was paid, leading to a fresh FIR by the construction firm against Chhangur and his group.Substantial amount was also traced to individuals allegedly used as proxies: Rs 1.20 crore to Durgesh Kumar and Santosh Kumar, Rs 1.15 crore to Shehzad Shaikh, Rs 64 lakh in one day to Vaseem Ahmad, Shameem Malik, and Malik Ali Ahmad, Rs 40 lakh to Afsar Ali, Rs 25 lakh to Mohammad Iktida Khan, and Rs 37.84 lakh to Jumman Khan.The agency further alleged that Chhangur, along with Naveen, purchased land worth Rs 16 crore in Pune, Maharashtra. The name of Sangeeta Upadhyay, wife of Balrampur CJM court clerk Rajesh Kumar Upadhyay, has emerged in this land deal through a profit-sharing agreement. Financial links were established between Rajesh and Neetu Rohra, including a Rs 3.5 lakh transfer.Searches conducted on July 17, 2025, across 15 locations linked to the accused, led to the recovery of multiple sale deeds and property documents. These documents allegedly show systematic acquisition of immovable assets during 2020–2021 using illicit funds to mask the origin of money.Statements recorded under Section 17 of PMLA from property sellers confirmed sales to associates of Chhangur Baba, primarily to Naveen and Neetu Rohra. They also stated that Baba was directly involved in these deals, the sources privy to the probe said.The ED initiated the probe following registration of a PMLA case on July 9, 2025. The ED, while taking custody remand of Chhangur from the court, informed that the syndicate used laundered funds not just for property deals but also to "lure innocent people" into changing their religion, thus establishing a clear nexus between financial crime and religious exploitation.Further legal proceedings are underway, with more disclosures expected as the investigation progresses. Currently, Chhangur Baba is under remand of ED from July 28 and will remain till Friday (Aug 1). The ATS arrested Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba and his associate Neetu alias Nasreen on July 5.