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Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Religious conversion racket: ED unearths offshore trail of Panama shell firms for money laundering
Probing the alleged money-laundering activities of Jalaluddin Shah alias Chhangur Baba, 78, accused of being the kingpin of the Balrampur religious conversion racket, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has discovered an offshore trail involving Panama-based shell companies, senior officials said. Jalaluddin Shah alias Chhangur Baba. (File Photo) 'While scanning the list of properties and investments, the ED has unearthed a complex offshore trail involving Panama-based shell companies suspected to have been used for laundering illicit wealth and concealing real ownership. Documents seized during a search operation revealed that Chhangur Baba's close associate, Naveen Rohra alias Jamaluddin, had registered companies in Panama, including Krishna Group SA and Logos Marine SA. These entities are suspected to have been used for money laundering and tax evasion,' a senior ED official confirmed. He said the ED is further investigating the source of funds used in these transactions and the nature of the companies' operations. The agency is also looking into potential international connections and the involvement of other individuals in the alleged money-laundering scheme, he added. The investigation revealed a general power of attorney issued in favour of Naveen Rohra, granting him operational authority over the companies, he said, adding that the probe also uncovered significant financial transactions between the companies and various entities, including those based in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The official said the ED has found evidence of property purchases made by Naveen Rohra and his associates, including his wife Neetu Rohra, using funds allegedly generated through illicit means. The agency has also traced a connection to Habib Bank in Zurich, Switzerland, raising suspicions about possible Swiss bank involvement in the funding and financial transactions related to the case, he said. Documents seized during the investigation also revealed a UAE entry permit linked to Chhangur Baba, indicating potential international connections, he added. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had registered an FIR against Chhangur Baba and his associates on November 16, 2024, accusing them of forced religious conversions and illegally amassing wealth. So far, eight people have been arrested, including Rajesh Kumar Upadhyaya, a clerk in the Balrampur Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court, on July 19 for alleged connivance with the kingpin in the religious conversion racket.
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
Chhangur Baba's Panama link: ED traces offshore shell company as probe deepens
As the probe into the alleged religious conversion syndicate led by Chhangur Baba intensifies, documents accessed by India Today have revealed a direct link to Panama, exposing a sophisticated international money laundering operation. These documents, recovered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during recent raids, point to the use of an offshore shell company to channel illicit to ED sources, Chhangur Baba's close aide, Naveen Rohra, established a shell company named Logos Marine SA in Panama in 2003, with an initial investment of USD 10,000. The firm was registered through a Panama-based entity, the International Shipping Bureau, with an authorised share capital of the same official records list foreign nationals as key stakeholders, investigators suspect this was a deliberate strategy to conceal the real ownership. The ED believes that Naveen Rohra retained full control and ownership of Logos Marine SA, using foreign nominees as a front. Preliminary findings suggest that crores of rupees were laundered through this offshore entity, which was ostensibly structured as a shipping company. This aligns with broader leads in the ED's investigation into Chhangur Baba's network, which has flagged suspicious hawala transactions, bank transfers, and foreign remittances amounting to over Rs 100 crore in suspected illicit recovery of these documents from Naveen Rohra's premises earlier this month is expected to offer key insights into the financial machinery underpinning the alleged conversion racket. The ED is also examining how the laundered money was spent, particularly in light of allegations that the funds were used for illegal land acquisitions, purchase of luxury assets, and financing mass religious conversions orchestrated by the Baba, along with his son Mehboob and associates Naveen Rohra alias Jamaluddin and Neetu alias Nasreen, has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). They are currently in judicial ATS complaint describes a "large-scale" conspiracy involving illegal religious conversions, misuse of foreign funds, and activities deemed a potential threat to national security.- Ends
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Funds received from frgn countries were used to buy assets: ED on Chhangur Baba
Lucknow: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Lucknow Zonal Office, completed search operations at 15 locations related to Chhangur Baba, his close associate Naveen Rohra, and others in Balrampur, Lucknow, and Mumbai. These operations were conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a money laundering case related to Chhangur Baba and others on Friday. The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by ATS, Lucknow, under various sections. The FIR alleged a large-scale conspiracy involving unlawful religious conversions, utilisation of foreign funding, and activities posing a potential threat to national security. Chhangur Baba and his associates are alleged to have established an extensive network operating from the premises of Chand Auliya Dargah, Balrampur, where he regularly organised large gatherings attended by both Indian and foreign nationals. He is accused of systematically inducing, coercing, and manipulating individuals of other faiths—particularly Scheduled Castes and economically disadvantaged persons belonging to the Hindu religion—into religious conversion. The ED sources said that during the course of the investigation, 22 bank accounts related to Chhangur Baba and his associates were analysed. From the analysis of these bank accounts, funds amounting to more than Rs. 60 Crore received by Chhangur Baba and his associates were identified. It was also revealed that a large amount of funds was received from foreign countries by Chhangur Baba and his associates. During the searches, a number of documents were seized, which revealed that the funds, which are nothing but proceeds of crime, were majorly transferred to different people for purchasing a number of immovable properties worth crores of rupees and carrying out construction activities on these properties. The evidence collected during the searches revealed that all the immovable assets acquired by Chhangur Baba are in the names of his associates, Naveen Rohra and Neetu Rohra, to conceal his actual involvement in money laundering. The searches also resulted in the recovery of physical records relevant to the investigation. Further investigation is in progress.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Chhangur Baba, associates got funds worth Rs 60 crore including from abroad: ED
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has found that Chhangur Baba, being investigated in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged illegal religious conversion racket in Uttar Pradesh, had received funds worth Rs 60 crore in 22 bank accounts, including "large amounts" from abroad. The federal probe agency said this in a statement after it concluded searches at more than a dozen locations in Chhangur Baba's native Balrampur district and two places in Mumbai. The raids were launched on Thursday. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category others MBA healthcare Leadership Artificial Intelligence Technology Product Management Data Science Management PGDM Data Analytics MCA Others Digital Marketing Finance CXO Data Science Healthcare Design Thinking Public Policy Degree Project Management Cybersecurity Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details The money-laundering case against Chhangur Baba alias Jalaluddin alias Karimulla Shah stems from a recent Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) FIR filed at a police station in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. Chhangur Baba, his son Mehboob and alleged associates Naveen Rohra alias Jamaluddin and Neetu alias Nasreen were arrested by the ATS. They are currently lodged in jail. The ATS complaint alleges a "large-scale" conspiracy involving unlawful religious conversions, utilisation of foreign funds and activities posing a potential threat to national security. Live Events "Chhangur Baba and his associates are alleged to have established an extensive network operating from the premises of the Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur, where he regularly organised large gatherings attended by both Indian and foreign nationals. "He is accused of systematically inducing, coercing and manipulating individuals of other faiths, particularly Scheduled Castes and economically disadvantaged persons belonging to Hindu religion, into religious conversion," the ED said. The agency said it has analysed 22 bank accounts related to Chhangur Baba and his associates and it was found that funds worth more than Rs 60 crore were received by him and his associates. "It was also found that a large amount of funds has been received from foreign countries by Chhangur Baba and his associates," it said. The searches also led to the seizure of a number of documents that show that "proceeds of crime" (illicit funds) were majorly transferred to different people for purchasing a number of immovable properties worth crores of rupees and carrying out construction activities in these properties. All the immovable assets acquired by Chhangur Baba are in the names of his associates, Naveen Rohra and Neetu Rohra, to conceal his actual involvement in money laundering, the ED said. Following the arrest of Chhangur Baba, alleged illegal constructions linked to him in Balrampur were razed by the district administration. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had described the actions of the accused as not only anti-social but also "anti-national". Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Religious conversion racket: Dist admn begins razing bungalow of kingpin, aides in Balrampur
The Balrampur administration initiated the demolition of a sprawling bungalow constructed on main Utraula-Mankapur Road, on Tuesday, after issuing three notices regarding illegal construction done on government land, local authorities confirmed. Jalaluddin Shah alias Chhangur Baba (HT File Photo) The move follows the arrest of Balrampur-based religious conversion racket kingpin, Jalaluddin Shah alias Chhangur Baba and his close accomplice, Neetu Naveen Rohra, alias Nasreen. The authorities said the action was taken in the presence of a heavy police force and administrative officials, with five bulldozers deployed for the operation. Balrampur additional SP Vishal Pandey said, 'The entire demolition process will take at least two - three days to complete. The demolition began today at 10 am and continued till late in the evening.' Meanwhile, barricading was done around the property to avoid locals gathering during the demolition process. The property, located in Madhpur village under Utraula tehsil, was built on Gram Sabha land listed as Gata number 337/370. 'Our government is fully committed to the dignity and security of our sisters and daughters. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the activities of the accused, Jalaluddin, are not only anti-social but also anti-national. The Uttar Pradesh government will not show any leniency in maintaining law and order. The properties of the accused and all the criminals associated with his gang will be confiscated, and strict legal action will be taken against them,' chief minister Yogi Adityanath posted on X on Tuesday, while reacting to the Balrampur action, adding, ' There is no place in the state for those who disrupt peace, harmony, and women's safety. They will be given such punishment according to the law that it will set an example for society'. The palatial bungalow, spread over nearly three bighas and estimated to be worth over ₹3 crore, had extensive living facilities for over 50 people and was equipped with CCTV surveillance systems. Moreover, iron fencing was done on the wall raised around the sprawling campus and electric current was run at night so that no one could breach the campus. The notice stated that the property was in the name of Neetu Naveen Rohra, wife of Naveen Rohra. A senior police official said that Neetu alias Nasreen was arrested along with Jalaluddin Shah by UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Saturday in connection with the case registered under sections 121A, 153A, 417, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 3, 5(1), 5(2), 5(3), and 8(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 in October 2024. He said Neetu alias Nasreen and her husband Naveen Rohra alias Jamaluudin and their minor daughter, who were originally Sindhis, were residents of Mumbai and they shifted to Balrampur after embracing Islam a few years ago. Naveen Rohra was arrested by UP ATS on charges of religious conversion on April 8 earlier this year. 'Three notices were issued to Neetu Naveen Rohra by the office of Utraula Tehsildar, Satyapal Prajapati. The first notice was issued on May 17, the second notice was issued on June 17 and the third notice was served on July 7 (Monday). The demolition process on encroachment was initiated on Tuesday after getting no reply from the illegal occupants,' said Balrampur district magistrate (DM), Pawan Agarwal. Balrampur superintendent of police (SP), Vikas Kumar, said the police force has been asked to remain on alert to avert any possible trouble by supporters of Chhangur Baba.
