Rs 106 crore in 40 accounts: Inside Chhangur Baba’s religious conversion racket in UP

Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba once went around on his bicycle selling rings and amulets.

Today, he has assets worth Rs 106 crore spread across 40 bank accounts, along with at least two properties reportedly worth crores.

Chhangur Baba has been accused of running a large-scale religious conversion racket in Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested last week.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has lauded the arrest, saying that early findings from the investigation indicated the accused was involved in activities that were not only against society but also against the country.

So, who exactly is Chhangur Baba, and how did he operate this conversion racket? How was he arrested?

Let’s find out:

Who is Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba?

Chhangur Baba is the alleged mastermind of a large illegal religious conversion racket based in Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Sources told News18 that he had earlier worked in gemstone sales and gained popularity after spending some time in Mumbai.

His influence in the local area grew steadily, and he even contested elections for the posts of village head and district council member.

He was arrested at a hotel in Lucknow on Saturday, along with his close aide Neetu alias Nasreen.

Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said the accused ran a massive network that allegedly targeted girls from a particular religious background, with alleged caste-based “conversion rates”.

The operation is reported to have been supported by nearly Rs 100 crore in foreign funding, according to officials.

Investigators found that the money was used to buy several luxury properties, bungalows, expensive vehicles, and showrooms.

More than 40 bank accounts, some under false names, were used to transfer the funds, pointing towards money laundering.

Police said in a statement, “The poor, helpless labourers, weaker sections, and widowed women were lured with incentives, financial aid, promises of marriage, or forced through intimidation, in violation of established procedures for religious conversion by the accused.”

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How Chhangur Baba ran religious conversion gang

Chhangur Baba, who once went around on a bicycle selling rings and amulets, later rose to become a village head.

According to documents found during the investigation, Rs 106 crore was deposited across 40 bank accounts linked to him.

Investigators believe the money came from Islamic countries in West Asia.

He is accused of targeting girls from different communities and allegedly keeping a ‘rate list’ for conversions.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested him and his associate Neetu from a hotel room in Lucknow.

Police said the room was first booked on April 16 for four days using their Aadhaar cards, but later turned into a centre for continued conversion activities.

After meeting Neetu, Chhangur Baba built a building on land next to a dargah (a shrine) in Madhpur. A government inquiry later found the building to be illegal.

On Wednesday, officials demolished the structure, saying it stood on government land.

Neetu, who became his close aide, was reportedly part of a network that pushed for conversions.

Investigators told News18 that she approached poor Hindu families, especially young girls, offering support and speaking of so-called ‘miracles’ done by Chhangur Baba.

As police stepped in, both Jamaluddin and Neetu were taken into custody by the Uttar Pradesh ATS.

A court had earlier issued a non-bailable warrant against Jamaluddin, and police had announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for his capture.

The investigation also revealed several luxury properties linked to him. One such property is in Maharashtra’s Lonavala, and is said to be worth Rs 16.49 crore, NDTV reported citing documents.

Another associate, Mohammad Ahmed Khan, is believed to have helped him manage these properties.

Khan, who has several criminal cases registered against him, is being described as Chhangur Baba’s “right hand”.

What UP CM Yogi Adityanath said

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said initial investigations suggest that the accused was involved in activities that were both anti-social and “anti-national”.

Speaking at a public event, he said, “We arrested a violent criminal in Balrampur who used to play with women’s dignity… We will not let the society break and also destroy anti-national, anti-social elements; as well as protect the planet…”

He further said, “The Uttar Pradesh government will not tolerate any laxity regarding law and order. All properties of the accused and his gang members will be confiscated, and strict legal action will be taken against them.”

Notably, Changur Baba has been sent to seven days of ATS police custody.

The case was registered at the Gomtinagar police station in Lucknow under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021.