Lucknow, July 2025 – The Uttar Pradesh Anti‑Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, a 70‑year‑old alleged mastermind behind a large-scale religious conversion racket. According to ATS reports, he and his wife were leading a network that targeted vulnerable individuals—especially women and minors—by luring them into conversion through romance, financial incentives, and coercion.
- Network Scale: Over ₹100 crore allegedly funnelled via more than 40 bank accounts, including funds from abroad.
- Victims: Over 40 people reportedly converted, with minors also involved.
- Operations: The gang conducted nearly 40 foreign trips, primarily to Islamic countries, and operated from a sprawling, illegally built mansion in Balrampur.
Mansion Demolished Amid Crackdown
Authorities razed the illegal mansion, spanning over three bighas, which also housed an unapproved college and hospital set up as part of the conversion operations. Bulldozers cleared the structure as officials monitored to ensure law and order during the demolition.
Why This Case Is Game‑Changing
- Financial Network Exposed
Investigations suggest ₹100+ crore moved through multiple channels, pointing to a well-funded network requiring further multi-agency scrubbing of banking trails and foreign remittances. - Land Encroachment & Illegal Construction
The mansion and its auxiliary buildings were constructed on public land without proper clearance, raising alarms about systematic land grabbing under the guise of religious conversion. - Rise in Local Enforcement
Uttar Pradesh’s tough stance—with ATS custody orders, property seizures, and demolition—signals a broader crackdown on unlawful conversion practices and illegal structures. - Political & Social Implications
Top leadership has labeled the operation as “anti-national”. Civil society advocates are demanding justice and protective measures for those targeted in such schemes.
