Changur Peer, involved in a conspiracy of demographic change by converting Hindu families, also harbored b political ambitions. He was trying to establish himself in politics and get close to power.
LUCKNOW: New revelations are surfacing daily in the case of Changur Baba alias Jamaluddin Peer, connected to the Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh. The scope of Changur Baba's network, which is plotting illegal conversions, political alliances, and access to power, now appears to extend to the police, administration, and politics.
Now, it has been revealed that Changur Baba was preparing to field a former IPS officer from the Utraula seat in the 2027 assembly elections. His intention behind this was to further strengthen his network through power.
Close Ties with Former IPS Officer, Protection in Conversions Too
Babbu Khan, who was close to Changur, has revealed that Changur had deep connections with a former IPS officer. It is said that this officer was not only providing protection in the conversion network, but was also playing a key role in preventing action. Using the police system and influence, Changur had been fueling his ambitions for a long time. Even while hiding in Lucknow, this same officer provided him with a team of lawyers and influenced the proceedings.
According to ATS sources, the red diary recovered from the room of Changur's associate, Neetu alias Nasreen, contains the names of several prominent leaders. Changur had supported these leaders in the 2022 assembly elections by giving them a large sum of money. It is rumored that Changur had funded a former candidate from Utraula with ₹90 lakh, but he lost the election. Now, Changur was preparing to field a former IPS officer associated with a national party in the election, in order to further increase political patronage.
Changur's political influence had been steadily increasing over the past ten years. Whether it was a Lok Sabha election or a Panchayat election, he tried to influence the results through funding and his followers. His influence was seen up to the Panchayat level in Utraula, Gaisari Bujurg and surrounding areas.
Attack on ATS Witness, Attempt to Change Statement Through Threats
In the illegal conversion case, Changur's henchmen attacked Harjeet Kashyap, an ATS witness, and threatened to kill him. Harjeet alleges that Riyaz, Kamaluddin, and Nawab beat him and threatened him, saying that he should go to Lucknow within 24 hours and change his statement, otherwise he would face the consequences. They also said, "Rasulabad village is Pakistan, if you live here and raise your voice against Muslims, you will be wiped out."
The police have registered a case against all three accused and started investigation. In-charge Inspector Awadhesh Raj Singh said that all the accused will be arrested soon.
ATS Raid in Gonda, Search for Other Close Aides of Changur in Conversion
The ATS team raided Retwagada village in Dhanepur, Gonda, in search of a young man named Ramzan. Ramzan used to play the drum in Changur's programs and was assigned the task of preparing people for conversion. However, according to the villagers, Ramzan died in 2024. The team also gathered information about other people with his name.
Changur's network flourished in the sensitive area of Utraula, adjacent to the Nepal border, under the protection of police and administrative officers. He had direct access to the bungalow of a promotee officer. A witness named Babbu Chaudhary had complained to the government about the then SP that Changur was given the most protection by the police department, due to which his network continued to grow.
There had also been a Tiff between DM and SP
In the year 2024, the then DM Arvind Singh had questioned the working style of Utraula police and ordered an inquiry. Action was taken against the police on charges of grabbing land from poor families. An SIT investigation was also conducted under the chairmanship of DIG Manzil Saini. Meanwhile, there was a clash between the DM and SP of the district and both were transferred. Now, the same Utraula and Gaisari Bujurg areas are emerging as the center of Changur's network.
Changur's objective was not limited to conversion; he was trying to legitimize his network through power. Fielding his people in the assembly elections, strengthening relations in the police-administration, and increasing influence at the local level through demographic change were all part of his network. The ATS investigation is probing every wire of this network.
