A major illegal conversion network has been exposed in Uttar Pradesh, centered around Jamaluddin, also known as Changur Baba, a resident of Balrampur. Investigations by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have revealed that Changur Baba used a controversial book titled 'Shijr-e-Taiyaba' to incite youth towards Love Jihad and conversion. Several controversial statements in the book are under the ATS's radar and are being seriously investigated.
It is reported that this book was written with the aim of misleading both Muslim and Hindu youth to push them towards religious conversion. The ATS has brought Changur Baba to Balrampur for questioning, where several important pieces of information are expected to be obtained from him. The investigation agency believes that Changur Baba has been operating this racket for a long time and had connections in many districts.
ED's Investigation Also Intensifies
Financial aspects are also emerging in this illegal conversion conspiracy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started investigating the funding of Changur Baba and his associates. The ED has found that seven bank accounts of Naveen Rohra, a close associate of Changur, have been identified, while 18 other accounts are being investigated.
According to sources, several properties have been purchased in Balrampur and surrounding districts, which are being linked to this network. The ED suspects that the purchase and sale of these properties were done through foreign and domestic funding, and they were being used for the promotion and spread of conversion.
Accused Named in Several Districts
The recent FIR by the ATS has also revealed that four close associates of Changur Baba – Mohammad Sabroz, Rashid, Shahabuddin (resident of Balrampur), and Ramzan (resident of Gonda) – were active in carrying out conversions in several districts of Purvanchal. A case was already registered against all of them on May 25, 2023, at the Devgaon police station in Azamgarh, in which a total of 18 people were named as accused.
In the new case, many names have emerged from Azamgarh, Mau, Gonda, and Jaunpur, including Awadhesh Saroj alias Vakil, Usha Devi, Panna Lal Gupta, Haseena, Kundan Benvanshi, Akash Saroj, Mohammad Javed, Parvez Alam, Irfan Ahmed, Sabir Ali, Javed Ahmed, and Fayyaz Ahmed.
Network to Expand Under Investigation
The ATS is now trying to reach the bottom of the entire network. Officers say that this racket is not limited to Uttar Pradesh alone, but its roots may be connected to other states or international funding. More arrests are likely in the coming days and the layers of the entire conspiracy are expected to be revealed.
