Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a case against Shamsul Huda Khan, a British national originally from Deoria Lala, Chaikala village in Sant Kabir Nagar district, for allegedly routing foreign funds to Indian madrassas through non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The funds, officials say, were collected in the name of promoting Islamic education but were allegedly diverted for other purposes.
According to officials, an FIR was lodged late on Sunday evening at the Kotwali Police Station based on a written complaint by the District Minority Welfare Officer. The case has been registered under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, and Sections 13 and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Kotwali police in-charge Pankaj Pandey confirmed that the accused is under investigation for “illegally collecting and transferring foreign funds” and that a deeper probe is underway to trace the money trail.
As per an inquiry conducted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Khan is accused of collecting donations from foreign organisations and individuals, which were then channeled to Indian madrassas through intermediaries, with Khan allegedly earning commissions on the transactions.
Investigators found that he had floated two NGOs, Kulliyatul Banatir Rajviya Educational and Welfare Society and Raza Foundation, which were allegedly used as conduits for transferring money from abroad into India under the guise of educational and welfare projects.
Police records indicate that Shamsul Huda Khan lived in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2017, reportedly without obtaining permission from Indian authorities. During this period, he acquired British citizenship in 2013, after which he continued maintaining financial and ideological ties with groups in India, officials said.
Sources quoted by the inquiry claimed that Khan maintained contact with radical elements in Pakistan and Jammu & Kashmir, allegedly using religious and educational fronts to promote Islamist activities. Security agencies are now examining whether the funds were used to sponsor individuals or organisations under surveillance for extremist leanings.
Officials added that the state’s investigative units, including the ATS and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), are coordinating to verify financial records, NGO activities, and foreign remittances linked to Khan.
Senior police officials have described the case as part of the broader state crackdown on illegal foreign funding networks and unauthorised religious education centres. A detailed report is expected to be submitted to the Home Department after cross-verification of NGO accounts and bank transactions.
Authorities said further action, including the possibility of invoking foreign funding regulations under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), would depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.
Uttar Pradesh has in recent years intensified its scrutiny of unregistered madrassas and NGOs suspected of receiving illegal foreign contributions. Several cases have previously surfaced where funds from abroad were allegedly routed through charity fronts to promote religious indoctrination rather than education.
The latest case involving Shamsul Huda Khan adds to growing concerns about transnational financial networks exploiting India’s educational and charitable ecosystem for ideological purposes.
