LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has intensified its investigation into an alleged illegal religious conversion racket, tightening its grip on the syndicate’s kingpin Jamaluddin. The probe has now expanded to examine suspected international links, including a possible connection to Syria and financial transactions which are routed through Swiss bank accounts. According to officials, while charges have already been framed in court against Jamaluddin and eight of his associates, certain aspects of the case, particularly the foreign funding angle remain under investigation. The ATS is now focusing on tracing the origins and use of funds allegedly linked to the network.
Preliminary findings suggest that Jamaluddin’s close associate, Naveen Rohra, was connected to a shipping company reportedly owned by a Syrian national. Investigators believe that large sums of money were routed to Rohra through this company. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) suspects that the firm may have acted as a front to channel funds into foreign bank accounts.
Further scrutiny by the Special Task Force (STF) revealed details of three Swiss bank accounts allegedly linked to Rohra. Officials suspect that money transferred into these accounts was later brought into India and used to finance activities related to illegal conversions. There are also indications that a portion of these funds was used to purchase land in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district.
The financial trail has raised serious concerns, especially as Rohra is reportedly only educated up to Class 7 which makes the scale of transactions appear suspicious. Investigators believe that funds were routed through multiple accounts before reaching the Swiss banks. This can likely be a complex network which was designed to obscure the money trail.
So far, agencies have found clues pointing to the utilization of over Rs 100 crore in the alleged racket. In a related development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier attached properties worth Rs 13.02 crore belonging to Rohra’s wife, Neetu Rohra, as part of its money laundering investigation.
Officials said that the ATS is now working to establish the full extent of the international connections and financial flows. The Syria link and suspected use of offshore accounts are being examined closely to determine whether foreign entities played a role in supporting the illegal activities. The investigation is ongoing and agencies are trying to uncover the complete network and ensure accountability for those involved.
