Enforcement Directorate raids premises in U.P., Mumbai linked to Chhangur Baba amid religious conversion ‘racket’ allegations

The federal probe agency recently filed a case to probe the activities and financial details of Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, alleged to be a mastermind of an illegal religious conversion racket operating in Uttar Pradesh

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday (July 17, 2025) morning began raids at 14 locations linked to Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind of religious conversion racket in U.P.’s Balrampur district and his accomplices. Among premises searched, 12 were in Uttar Pradesh’s Utaraula area of Balrampur district in Uttar Pradrsh and two were in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Chhangur Baba is accused of accumulating vast wealth under the guise of religious faith. It is believed the central agency is focusing on Chhangur Baba’s close associates, and followers, probing their bank accounts transactions, properties, and foreign funding.

Chhangur Baba, his aide Neetu alias Nasreen and two other people were arrested by the U.P. Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad on July 5. A First Information Report (FIR) filed by the U.P. ATS at a police station in Lucknow under Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021 against four persons including Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba alleged that the accused acted in an organized manner to convert individuals from Hindu and other non-Muslim communities to Islam.

“The poor, helpless labourers, weaker sections, and widowed women were lured with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage, or forced through intimidation, in violation of established procedures for religious conversion by the accused” reads the FIR.