Jamaluddin, also known as Chhangur Baba, who is believed to be the mastermind behind a religious conversion racket, once earned his living by selling amulets and rings on a bicycle. Today, he holds assets worth Rs 106 crore, most of which came from the Middle East, and are spread across 40 bank accounts and at least two high-value properties.

Chhangur Baba was arrested along with his close aide, Neetu, also known as Nasreen, from a hotel in Lucknow on Saturday. This arrest is linked to the religious conversion case that recently came to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district. Since then, the case against him has continued to accumulate.

According to a police report, “the poor, helpless workers, weaker sections, and widowed women were tempted with incentives, money, marriage promises, or coerced by threats, in contravention of prescribed procedures for religious conversion by the accused.”

The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh is also investigating whether the group had any connections with terrorist organisations. The state’s Special Task Force, which filed the case, is conducting a separate investigation. Local police are also looking into other individuals suspected of being involved with the group in Balrampur.

In addition to these agencies, the Enforcement Directorate has also filed a case to investigate the sources of income of Chhangur Baba, who is also called Pir Baba. The case was registered on Tuesday at the Lucknow unit of the ED, after a sudden and suspicious increase in his income was noticed.

The agency is now trying to trace the origin of the funds and the reasons they were sent.

Chhangur Baba, who earlier sold amulets and rings on a bicycle to earn his livelihood, later became the head of his village. According to the documents recovered so far, Rs 106 crore was deposited into 40 of his bank accounts. Investigators believe this money came from several Islamic countries in the Middle East.

Chhangur Baba is a resident of Rehra Mafi village in Uttar Pradesh, and his entire network is based in the Uttaraula region of Balrampur district, which lies close to the Nepal border. He was once elected the head of his village.

After he met Neetu, who later became his aide, he constructed a complex next to a dargah in Madhpur, which is located about three kilometres from Rehra Mafi. A government inquiry later found that this complex was built illegally. On Wednesday, officials demolished what they described as an illegal structure on government land.

The building was divided into two parts. One section was used as a residence by Chhangur Baba, his family members, and his associates. The second section had no confirmed purpose, although several claims were made about it over time.

At first, it was said that a hospital would be built there. Some years later, this plan changed, and it was claimed that the structure would instead be used to open a school or a college. Even after many years, there is still no clarity on how the building is being used. However, the structure was equipped with two guard dogs and 15 CCTV cameras.

Apart from the Balrampur property, Chhangur Baba also purchased real estate in other locations. One of these properties is in Lonavala, Maharashtra, and was bought in the name of both Chhangur Baba and Naveen, who was also recently arrested. The land was purchased on 2 August 2023, and the official documents list its value as Rs 16.49 crore.

This property was previously owned by a man named Mohammad Ahmed Khan. Ahmed Khan is now also under investigation, as he is believed to have transferred funds to Chhangur Baba. Authorities are now trying to determine whether the person who sold the land and the one who sent the money are the same individual.

Security agencies are also examining the possible role of certain agents, officials, and employees in the government system, who may have supported Chhangur’s illegal activities. Investigators are working to determine how many people he converted and whether the money he received was used for anti-national purposes.

On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that “initial probe” indicates the activities of accused Jamaluddin are “not only against society but also against the nation.”

Stating clearly that there will be no compromise on law and order, the Chief Minister added, “The assets of the accused and other criminals associated with his gang will be confiscated, and firm legal action will be initiated against them.”