UP ATS Summons Chhangur Baba’s Aide in Pune Property, Conversion Racket Case
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has intensified its probe into the alleged illegal religious conversion and money-laundering syndicate linked to self-styled godman Chhangur Baba, also known as Jalaluddin.
Key Development: Aide Summoned for Questioning
Officials have summoned Mohammed Ahmed, a close aide and fund manager of Chhangur Baba, for questioning at the ATS headquarters. Sources reveal that Ahmed managed financial operations and investments made on behalf of Chhangur in Pune, Mumbai, and other cities.
Ahmed is expected to appear before the ATS on October 13 to record his statement and clarify his role in the syndicate’s financial dealings. Investigators allege that a prime property in Pune was purchased through Ahmed and registered in the names of Nitin and Nitu Rohra, both of whom are already under arrest.
The Financial Trail
According to ATS officials, Ahmed’s involvement was crucial in channeling funds from the alleged conversion network into real estate and other assets. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had seized assets worth ₹13 crore in Balrampur, linked to Chhangur Baba’s associates. The properties—registered in the name of co-accused Nitu Navin Rohra—are currently valued at over ₹50 crore.
The Conversion Case Background
The ATS filed a chargesheet in September against Chhangur Baba and his son Mehboob, accusing them of running a large-scale illegal religious conversion racket in Balrampur. Investigators allege that the group sought to convert individuals through inducement, coercion, and misinformation, with a radical long-term goal of “turning India into an Islamic nation by 2047.”
The racket first came to light after a complaint by Akhilesh Kumari from Aligarh, who reported that her visually impaired son, Prabhat Upadhyay, had gone missing on August 15. Police later discovered he had been taken to a madrasa in Bareilly, allegedly under the pretext of marriage, and was in the process of being converted and renamed “Hamid.”
A swift police raid prevented the conversion ceremony. Officers reportedly seized religious literature, conversion certificates, and CDs of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, said to be used for indoctrination.
What’s Next?
With Mohammed Ahmed now under the ATS scanner, investigators are expected to delve deeper into the financial and operational links of the syndicate—especially those connecting Pune, Mumbai, and Balrampur. Officials believe Ahmed could provide critical insights into the money trail and the network’s broader objectives.
As the probe widens, both the ATS and ED continue to coordinate efforts to dismantle what they describe as a “well-structured network of conversion and fund diversion.”