In the Balrampur Islamic conversion Jihad case, a Special ATS Court in Lucknow rejected the discharge plea moved by the main accused, Jalauddin alias Chhangur Baba, on 19th April. This cleared the way for a court hearing against Jalaluddin and other accused persons.
A 1400-page charge sheet filed by the ED and ATS details the foreign funding of over ₹100 crore between 2015 and 2025, land purchases, and organised religious conversions.
It details the funding, property purchases, bank transactions, and relationships between the accused. The charge sheet also states that the accused operated as an organised gang to carry out large-scale conversion activities.
During the investigation, it emerged that the ₹100 crore foreign funding was brought to India from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Examining the money trail, the agencies found that this money was transferred through various accounts and channels to conceal its true identity.
This funding was used to promote conversion activities, lure people, and strengthen the Islamic conversion Jihad network.
The investigation also revealed that co-accused Naveen and his wife Neetu used the funds to purchase land in several districts. These properties, including in the Tarabganj area of Balrampur, were allegedly used to conduct religious conversion activities.
The probe agencies said that Hindus were lured into converting to Islam at these sites by offering financial and social inducements. Documents also reveal that several properties were purchased in the wife’s name, while Chhangur Baba’s role in the entire process is described as that of a witness and alleged patron.
The prosecution contended that Chhangur and his accomplices had been conspiring to alter the religious demography of India to outnumber the Hindu majority.
During a six-hour-long hearing on 19th April, Special Judge Neetu Pathak dismissed Chhangur’s discharge petition. The court stated in its order that, prima facie, the allegations are serious and warrant a trial.
As reported earlier, Jalaluddin and other co-accused have been booked under section 121A (conspiracy against the nation), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), and 420 (cheating). If convicted under these sections, Chhangur and his gang could face severe punishment.
Now, the prosecution added charges of gang rape (IPC 376D) of a Scheduled Caste woman and the SC/ST Act.
