The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), backed by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, on Thursday, 17 July 2025, conducted simultaneous raids at the residence of a local All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and a madrasa in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, in connection with an alleged terror-funding case. The operations centred on Rameswarpur village under the Hasnabad block, targeting the home of local TMC leader Abdullah Gazi and the Rameswarpur Darul Uloom madrasa.

What Investigators Found

Investigators allege that substantial sums of money from overseas sources were routed into the bank accounts of Abdullah Gazi and his son, purportedly as grants for the expansion and construction of the madrasa. However, according to sources, the probe found that the funds were allegedly diverted through a network of shell companies rather than being used for their stated purpose.

The ATS suspects that a portion of these foreign funds may have been channelled toward terror financing, according to officials familiar with the case. By the time raiding teams arrived at Gazi's residence, both he and his son were reportedly absconding.

Background: Earlier Arrest and Renewed Probe

This is not the first time Abdullah Gazi has come under the ATS's scanner. According to sources, the Uttar Pradesh ATS had arrested Gazi on the same charges approximately two years ago, with the investigation remaining active since then. The fresh raids were reportedly triggered by newly obtained documents related to the case, indicating the probe has entered a more intensive phase.

ED Conducts Parallel Searches in Haroa

In a coordinated but separate action, three teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at a trust, an educational institution, and a madrasa linked to businessman Abdus Samad in the Haroa area under the Basirhat subdivision. The ED's action followed the detection of large foreign-currency transactions in bank accounts associated with Samad, according to reports.

The simultaneous deployment of the ATS and the ED signals a multi-agency approach to what investigators believe is a broader financial network. The operations were still underway at the time of initial reporting, with investigators examining documents recovered from Gazi's residence.

Political and Security Context

The raids in West Bengal add a sharp political dimension, given that Abdullah Gazi is a local leader of the ruling TMC in the state. The BJP-led Centre and the TMC-led state government have long been at odds over law-and-order and security matters in Bengal. Critics argue that such Central agency actions in opposition-ruled states invite scrutiny over intent, even as security officials maintain the probe is driven purely by evidence. The investigation remains ongoing, and no formal charges have been filed in connection with the fresh raids as of this report.