Who is the key aide of Chhangur Baba arrested in a religious conversion racket?
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Synopsis
The arrest of Rashid, a top aide to Chhangur Baba, reveals a disturbing religious conversion racket in Uttar Pradesh. As investigations unfold, authorities uncover a vast network exploiting vulnerable populations, raising serious questions about the intersection of faith and manipulation.
Key Takeaways
- Rashid has been arrested for his role in a religious conversion racket.
- The operation exploited vulnerable groups, including Scheduled Castes and Hindu women.
- Chhangur Baba is believed to be the mastermind behind the scheme.
- Authorities are investigating foreign funding linked to the racket.
- The ATS continues to unravel the extensive network behind these illegal activities.
Balrampur/Lucknow, July 17 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) apprehended Rashid, a prominent aide of the self-proclaimed spiritual leader Chhangur Baba, on Thursday due to his suspected involvement in a widespread religious conversion racket. The arrest took place in the Utraula area of Balrampur, which is believed to be the origin point of this illicit operation.
Reports indicate that Chhangur Baba had assigned Rashid the responsibility of overseeing the ‘love jihad’ faction within the conversion syndicate. He has been charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 121A (conspiracy against the state), 420 (cheating), and 153A (promoting enmity), alongside clauses of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
The ATS has brought Rashid before a local judicial authority, with further legal actions in progress. Chhangur Baba, whose actual name is Jamaluddin, is considered the alleged mastermind of this inter-state racket.
Authorities claim that the operation specifically targeted Scheduled Castes, economically disadvantaged groups, and Hindu women by manipulating emotional and religious susceptibilities—often enticing individuals with promises of fulfilled desires, wealth, or miraculous cures.
Recently, the ATS transported Chhangur Baba to Madhpur village in Balrampur, identified as his operational base. Officials conducted a raid on a bungalow purportedly linked to his associates, which has now been deemed illegally constructed and is undergoing demolition.
Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following initial findings that the racket received over Rs 106 crore in foreign funds, mainly from the Middle East.
Investigators from the ED and ATS have highlighted a concerning trend of psychological manipulation, with the accused Baba allegedly preying on visitors to temples and dargahs, gradually indoctrinating open-minded Hindu families into conversion.
The ATS is persistently uncovering layers of this network, which it now suspects extends across multiple states and involves a significant nexus of foreign funding, illegal assets, and radicalization methods.
Point of View
This incident highlights the critical need for vigilance against exploitation in the name of faith. The ATS's actions demonstrate a commitment to uphold social harmony and protect vulnerable communities from manipulation. Our focus must remain on ensuring justice and preventing such unscrupulous practices from proliferating.
NationPress
17/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges has Rashid faced?
Rashid is charged under multiple sections of the IPC, including 121A (conspiracy against the state), 420 (cheating), and 153A (promoting enmity), as well as the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.
What is the role of Chhangur Baba in this case?
Chhangur Baba, whose real name is Jamaluddin, is alleged to be the mastermind behind the religious conversion racket, targeting vulnerable communities.
How was the ATS involved in this investigation?
The ATS conducted the investigation, leading to Rashid's arrest and uncovering a broader network involved in illegal conversions and foreign funding.
