The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on 5 July 2025 arrested Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale illegal religious conversion racket, along with his wife Neetu alias Nasreen. The duo, residents of Madhpur village in Balrampur district, was taken into custody and produced before a court, following which they were remanded and sent to Lucknow District Jail.
According to an official statement, a non-bailable warrant had been issued against Jamaluddin by a local court, and a reward of ₹50,000 had been declared on his arrest. The arrests are the latest in a continuing investigation into an organised network accused of forcibly or fraudulently converting individuals from Hindu and other non-Muslim communities to Islam.
The case has been registered at Gomtinagar Police Station in Lucknow under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. The FIRs allege that poor labourers, women from weaker sections, widows, and minors were targeted and converted using inducements such as financial assistance, marriage promises, or coercion, in violation of prescribed legal procedures.
Fake Identities, A Sufi Persona
Investigators revealed that Jamaluddin, aged 70, along with his wife and daughter, originally hailed from Mumbai and had converted to Islam in Dubai in November 2015. The family, comprising Ghanshyam Rohera, his wife Neetu, and their daughter Samale, adopted the Islamic names Jamaluddin, Nasreen, and Sabiha respectively.
After their return, the trio settled near Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur, where Jamaluddin began identifying himself as a Sufi saint under the name “Hazrat Baba Jamaluddin Peer Baba.” Despite having converted to Islam, the family reportedly retained Hindu identities on all official Indian documents, including passports, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and property records.
Jamaluddin also published a book titled Shijra-e-Tayyaba to propagate Islam and support his spiritual persona.
Network of Coercion, Romantic Traps, and Financial Incentives
According to the ATS, Jamaluddin ran an organised gang involved in mass religious conversions across multiple districts. The racket allegedly used romantic entrapment, psychological coercion, and monetary inducements to lure individuals, particularly Hindu women, into converting to Islam. In one documented case, a woman from Lucknow was allegedly deceived by a Muslim man who posed as a Hindu and was subsequently coerced by Neetu and others into converting.
The ATS disclosed that the gang had a structured incentive system for conversions based on caste. As per statements made by officers, ₹15–16 lakh was allotted for converting Brahmin, Sikh, or Kshatriya women; ₹10–12 lakh for OBC women; and ₹8–10 lakh for women from other castes. These operations were allegedly funded by foreign sources.
Foreign Funding and Travel Links
A financial audit of the gang’s activities uncovered foreign inflows amounting to over ₹100 crore into 40 different bank accounts. The funds were reportedly used to facilitate conversions, pay agents, and purchase properties and luxury items.
The investigation found that members of the gang had travelled to Islamic countries approximately 40 times, suggesting deep international connections and possible external ideological or financial support.
Prior to Saturday’s arrests, two other accused, Naveen alias Jamaluddin and Mehboob, the son of the main accused, were arrested on 8 April 2025. Both are also from Balrampur and are currently lodged in Lucknow District Jail.
Following a complaint by a local resident, Arvind Kumar of Madhpur village, about suspicious activities, the Special Task Force (STF) initiated a probe. The ATS subsequently took over, registering a case against ten individuals, including Jamaluddin, under charges relating to illegal conversions, cheating, criminal conspiracy, and financial fraud.
Multiple FIRs have been lodged in various districts of Uttar Pradesh in connection with the racket. A diary recovered from Jamaluddin’s residence reportedly contained names of over 100 potential targets for future conversions.
Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Conversion Racket
Officials stated that Jamaluddin had previously sold rings for a living but amassed enormous wealth within a short span through the conversion racket. He allegedly purchased properties worth crores, built showrooms and bungalows, and acquired luxury cars. He had been residing in the Balrampur property for the past 3–4 years, which originally belonged to the Hindu family that later converted and changed their identities.
Multi-Agency Probe Sought
Given the scale, international funding, and communal sensitivity of the case, the Uttar Pradesh Police have sought a multi-agency probe involving the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate both the religious and financial aspects of the racket.
ATS officials indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further arrests and asset seizures may follow based on the contents of the recovered diary and other electronic and financial records.
(With inputs from OpIndia)