New Delhi, 16 July (H.S.):
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out raids across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to alleged foreign funding and a network facilitating the illegal infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals. During the searches, the agency recovered ₹40 lakh in cash and 180 grams of gold coins from Haroa Al-Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom in Kalilkapur, West Bengal. According to the ED, the person in charge of the premises failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the cash and gold, following which both were seized under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The ED said that digital devices, documents, and other incriminating materials were also seized during the searches and are currently being examined. Statements of the individuals concerned are being recorded. The agency stated that the operation targeted an organised syndicate allegedly involved in facilitating illegal cross-border infiltration, arranging forged Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and passports, and using foreign funds to settle infiltrators in different parts of India.
The preliminary investigation revealed that certain public charitable trusts registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) were allegedly linked to the network. These trusts reportedly received funds from organisations based in the United Kingdom, which were subsequently disbursed in small instalments to suspected individuals to facilitate their permanent settlement in India. According to the ED, the funds were allegedly used for purposes such as purchasing e-rickshaws, providing employment opportunities, and extending financial assistance.
The agency further stated that one group operating in the border districts of West Bengal allegedly assisted illegal infiltrators in crossing into India, while another group prepared forged identity documents for them. Through coordinated efforts between these groups, the infiltrators were allegedly relocated to different parts of the country.
The searches covered several prominent locations, including Kabirbag Millat Academy, Haroa Al-Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom, and Tahiriya Welfare Trust in North 24 Parganas, residential premises in the Batla House area of South Delhi, locations in Faridabad, Deoband, and multiple premises associated with individuals and organisations across various districts of West Bengal.
The ED said that the seized digital evidence and documents are undergoing detailed forensic examination and that further investigation into the case is continuing.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
