Delta of foreign funds — ₹200 Cr via official channels and ₹300 Cr through Nepal-backed hawala — used to promote illegal religious conversions and build illegal assets
11 July 2025, New Delhi
In a major revelation, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has uncovered a staggering foreign funding operation linked to Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, who allegedly received nearly ₹500 crore over the past three years to promote illegal religious conversions across India.
According to the ATS, approximately ₹200 crore was routed into India through formal banking channels, while the remaining ₹300 crore was funneled in via an elaborate hawala network operating through Nepal. The funds are suspected to have originated from Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Investigations revealed that more than 100 bank accounts were opened in Nepalese districts such as Kathmandu, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, and Banke. These accounts were used to deposit foreign funds, which were then delivered to India through a network of local agents, who earned 4–5% commission for facilitating the transfers.
In India, the funds were reportedly exchanged through money changers in districts including Balrampur, Bahraich, Shravasti, and Lakhimpur Kheri, while additional operatives were active in Bihar districts like Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Purnia, Kishanganj, Champaran, and Supaul.
According to the ATS, nearly ₹200 crore entered India through official banking channels, while an additional ₹300 crore was routed through a sophisticated hawala network via Nepal. The funds are believed to have originated from Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
So far, the probe has confirmed that ₹34.22 crore was deposited in six accounts linked to a person named Naveen Rohra, while ₹13.90 crore was transferred to accounts held by a woman named Nasreen, believed to be a key associate. Authorities have demanded ten years of income tax records of all persons involved.
The ATS also suspects that Chhangur Baba might have undisclosed accounts in Dubai, Sharjah, and other Gulf countries, which are now being traced in collaboration with central agencies.
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In a significant crackdown, the district administration has demolished Chhangur Baba’s lavish 40-room mansion in Balrampur, reportedly built illegally on government land at an estimated cost of ₹5 crore. The palatial bungalow was equipped with foreign furniture, a marble-finished gate, and a CCTV command room. The demolition operation involved 10 bulldozers and spanned three days under tight security.
Chhangur Baba and Nasreen were arrested in Lucknow on July 5, and a seven-day remand has been granted for further interrogation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is now actively involved in the investigation to trace the money trail and examine possible terror funding or anti-national activities.
With the ATS uncovering what appears to be one of the largest foreign-funding networks for religious conversions in recent years, the case has sparked intense national debate about security, foreign influence, and religious manipulation.