The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 17 conducted extensive raids at 14 locations in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district and in Mumbai, targeting premises linked to Jamaluddin Shah and his close associates in connection with an alleged illegal religious conversion racket.
Starting early morning and lasting over 13 hours, the operation focused on gathering evidence related to money laundering, foreign funding, and large-scale financial irregularities tied to conversion activities. Key properties in Uttaraula, the epicentre of Jamaluddin Shah’s operations near the Nepal border, were searched. According to officials, a significant amount of land documents, luxury vehicles, gold, and unaccounted cash were recovered.
One of the locations raided was associated with Shahzad Sheikh in Mumbai. Investigators reportedly uncovered over Rs 1 crore in transactions from Jamaluddin Shah’s accounts to Sheikh’s, raising suspicions of a well-organised network involving foreign funds.
Jamaluddin Shah, who once sold rings and amulets on a bicycle, is now alleged to have created an empire using money sourced from abroad to fund religious conversions. Preliminary findings show he controlled at least Rs 106 crore across 40 bank accounts and owned high-value properties. His co-accused, Neetu alias Nasreen and her husband Naveen, are already under investigation by the ATS.
During the raids, ED questioned at least 10 individuals connected with Jamaluddin Shah. Many struggled to explain the source of large financial transfers. Officials said some suspects hesitated or gave evasive responses when asked how they received money from Shah. Their bank records and property ownership are now under scrutiny.
Sources say hawala routes from Nepal may have been used to channel foreign funds into India. The ED is also looking into whether the money received from Middle Eastern countries was used to incentivise conversions.
Security remained tight throughout the operation, with local police assisting ED teams. The agency is now examining digital evidence to trace the full scale of the racket, and further action is expected based on the findings.
