Did the ED Seize 17 Properties Linked to a UK Citizen Former Madrasa Teacher?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Lucknow, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed search operations at two locations in Uttar Pradesh, leading to the seizure of documents related to 17 immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 20 crore. These properties are associated with a former primary teacher from a madrasa, who obtained UK citizenship in 2013, as reported by an official on Thursday.
The Lucknow Zonal Office of the ED carried out these searches on Wednesday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in relation to a fraud case involving Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan and others.
The operations targeted two residential sites in Sant Kabir Nagar and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, as per the official statement.
This investigation was initiated following three FIRs lodged by the Uttar Pradesh Police, which allege various offenses including fraud, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
Reports indicate that Shamsul Huda Khan, who served as a primary school teacher in a madrasa since 1984, obtained UK citizenship in 2013.
Despite acquiring foreign citizenship, he purportedly continued to receive a salary until 2017 and remained eligible for pension benefits until 2023, according to the ED.
The ED highlighted that the accused allegedly concealed his foreign citizenship, misrepresented his nationality, unlawfully obtained properties, and received government salaries and retirement benefits unjustly.
Moreover, it is claimed that illicit funds were funneled through NGOs controlled by him, disguised as donations for constructing madrasas and acquiring real estate.
Financial analyses during the investigation uncovered that over Rs 5 crore was deposited into the bank accounts of Shamsul Huda Khan and his controlled entities, which include accounts at Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, and State Bank of India.
This financial probe revealed significant transactions between 2007 and 2025 and confirmed the illicit receipt of salaries and pension benefits despite the cessation of Indian citizenship.
The search operations by the ED resulted in the recovery and seizure of numerous incriminating documents related to the acquisition of the 17 immovable properties.
The properties were declared to have a purchase value of about Rs 3 crore, but their current market value is estimated to be around Rs 20 crore.