Gonda,

17 July (HS): As part of its continuing investigation into a high-profile

religious conversion case in Uttar Pradesh's Balrampur district, a team from

the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) visited Gonda district on Thursday to track

down a suspected accomplice to the main offender, Jalaluddin alias Chhangur

Baba.

The

ATS arrived on Wednesday in pursuit of Ramzan, whose name came up during the

probe into Jalaluddin's network.

However, the team learned that Ramzan died last year. According to reports, ATS obtained crucial

papers and information before returning.

According

to accounts, Ramzan of Retwagadha village used to play the dhol (traditional

drum) during religious and cultural occasions such as qawwalis and

jagrans. In 2023, he traveled to

Azamgarh with his brother for a programme, which was reportedly disrupted by

Bajrang Dal members due to conversion-related concerns.

Police

intervened, filed a FIR, and arrested Ramzan.

After almost eight months in prison, he was freed on bond on January 3,

2024. His relatives stated he had been sick since his release and died on March

4, 2024. After learning of Ramzan's death and acquiring pertinent information

about him, the ATS team obtained information on his namesake from a neighboring

hamlet who was questioned by the counterterrorism unit in April.

While

there has been no formal confirmation from local police on the probe,

Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal stated that the ATS acts independently

and only shares information with civil authorities when required. He promised

to give whatever necessary cooperation to the agency.

Jalaluddin,

actual name Karimulla Shah, is from Balrampur and is accused of running a

state-wide illicit religious conversion ring. Jalaluddin, his son Mehboob, and

accomplices Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Neetu alias Nasreen were recently

apprehended by the UP ATS and are presently being held in jail. The Enforcement

Directorate, which is investigating the self-styled preacher's finances and

connections, discovered that he amassed cash worth around Rs 106 crore, largely

from the Middle East, in 40 bank accounts related to him and his friends.

The

agency claimed that Jalaluddin had developed a vast network that operated from

the grounds of the 'Chand Auliya Dargah' in Balrampur, where he frequently

organized big meetings attended by both Indian and international nationals.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi