Lucknow.
After the disclosure of a large racket of illegal conversion in Uttar Pradesh, now the fugitive radical Islamic pracharak Zakir Naik and his organization Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) seem to be tightening. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and central agencies have found important clues of foreign funding in this case, which has revealed funds from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Dubai, Canada, America, United Kingdom (UK) and other Islamic countries. In the investigation, the role of banned organizations like students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Popular Front of India (PFI) is also coming out.
According to investigative agencies, an organized gang led by Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin in Balrampur district was running a trap of illegal conversion. Chhangur Baba was recently arrested by the ATS of Uttar Pradesh Police. Investigation revealed that the purpose of this network was to target the Indo-Nepal border districts, especially Balrampur, and convert on a large scale. In this racket, women and minors were specially targeted, which were forced to seduce or forcibly convert.
Zakir Naik and Foreign Funding Connection
Investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has revealed that this illegal conversion racket was receiving heavy funding from abroad, in which the role of Zakir Naik and his organization IRF was found suspicious. According to sources, a money trail of funding of more than Rs 100 crore has come out from UAE, Turkey, Canada, America, UK and other Islamic countries. ED has identified five foreign bank accounts of Chhangur Baba, which are in UAE, and suspicious transactions are being investigated in these accounts. In addition, the Income Tax Department, in a detailed report in February 2025, feared illegal conversion, foreign funding for the construction of mosques, madrasas and mausoleums, which was also sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Zakir Naik is absconding since 2016
Zakir Naik, who escaped Malaysia after allegations of promoting money laundering and terrorism in India in 2016, has long been involved in illegal conversion and radical activities. His organization IRF and Paes TV are banned in India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka and UK. The ED investigation has also revealed that Naik through his institution received suspected funding of more than Rs 64 crore from countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman between 2003 and 2017, which was used to buy assets and broadcast fundamental content in India.
Role of Simi and PFI
The investigation also revealed the role of banned organization SIMI and PFI. According to sources, Chhangur Baba’s network was working closely with these organizations. Some PFI leaders, who were previously associated with SIMI, played an important role in raising funding from the Middle East countries and carrying out terrorist activities in India. ED has also found evidence of money refinement through real estate and other businesses in Kerala and UAE in the investigation of money laundering against PFI leaders.
Action of Ministry of Home Affairs and Central Agencies
The report of the Income Tax Department sent to the Union Home Ministry mentioned illegal conversion and foreign funding for radical activities in the districts of the Indo-Nepal border. Based on this report, ED and other central agencies are now working towards completely demolishing this network. The ED recently raided 14 places at Chhangur Baba’s locations in Balrampur, in which action was also taken at Bandra and Mahim in Mumbai. The investigation revealed a suspicious transaction of Rs 2 crore, which was transferred to Chhangur’s associate Shahzad Sheikh’s account.