NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 16, conducted coordinated searches across multiple locations in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and West Bengal under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The operation, led by the ED’s Lucknow Zonal Office, covered around 13 premises as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged syndicate accused of facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India, arranging forged Indian identity documents and helping them settle in different parts of the country.
The money laundering investigation originates from a 2024 First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), which alleged the existence of an organised network involved in infiltration and related financial activities.
Based on the ATS case, the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the PMLA to investigate the alleged laundering of funds linked to the network. According to officials, the ATS investigation uncovered what it described as a deep-rooted financial network involving certain charitable trusts and organisations that allegedly received substantial foreign contributions.
Investigators allege that foreign funds were diverted through a complex web of multiple bank accounts, mule accounts and layered financial transactions to conceal the origin and movement of money. Officials said the network allegedly relied on cash withdrawals and numerous small-value transfers to route funds to suspected beneficiaries while avoiding detection.
The ED is probing whether these financial channels were used to facilitate infiltration, procurement of forged Indian identity documents and the rehabilitation of infiltrators in different parts of the country.
According to officials, the investigation is focused on allegations that the syndicate:
- Facilitated the illegal entry of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India.
- Arranged forged Indian identity documents for those who entered the country illegally.
- Assisted in settling such individuals across various states.
- Routed foreign contributions through multiple accounts using layering techniques to disguise financial trails.
- Used mule bank accounts and cash withdrawals to move funds.
Authorities are also examining the role of certain trusts and organisations suspected of receiving foreign funds that were allegedly diverted for unlawful purposes. The ED said searches were continuing at various locations and that several important leads had emerged during the course of the operation.
Officials indicated that documents, digital evidence and financial records recovered during the raids are being examined to establish the money trail and identify all individuals and entities allegedly connected with the network.
