The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has taken Jamaluddin, also known as "Changur Baba," and his associate Neetu alias Nasreen, into custody in connection with a large-scale religious conversion racket. Changur Baba, the alleged mastermind of the operation, had a reward of ₹50,000 on his head.

The racket, primarily active in the Balrampur district, allegedly targeted individuals from Hindu and other non-Muslim communities, luring them into converting to Islam. Investigations revealed the gang employed tactics such as using false identities and promises of marriage to entice Hindu girls into relationships. Once emotionally trapped, victims were taken to Changur Baba's Dargah in Balrampur, where they were converted and given new Muslim names. In one instance, a Hindu woman was manipulated and renamed.

According to the ATS, the group offered financial assistance and a better life as bait for conversion. Disturbingly, they also had fixed "conversion rates" based on the victim's caste, with higher amounts for girls from Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Sikh communities (₹15 to ₹16 lakh) and lower amounts for those from backward castes (₹10 to ₹12 lakh). Those who resisted were reportedly threatened with false criminal cases.

The investigation has uncovered that the racket received approximately ₹100 crore in foreign funding, allegedly from Islamic countries. The funds were used to purchase luxurious properties, showrooms, bungalows, and high-end cars. Operatives of the racket reportedly traveled abroad multiple times, mainly to Gulf nations, allegedly for ideological training and financial coordination. Authorities found over 40 bank accounts, opened under real and fictitious identities, used to transfer foreign funds.

The authorities have initiated strong action against those involved. Officials have demolished an illegal mansion belonging to Changur Baba in Balrampur, which allegedly served as a hub for religious conversions. The demolition was carried out using eight bulldozers after a complaint was received stating that Changur Baba had grabbed government land.

In addition to the ATS, the Special Task Force (STF) and local police are also investigating the matter. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case to investigate Changur Baba's earnings, focusing on a sudden spike in his income and the source of the funds. The ED is trying to determine who sent the money and for what reasons.

The case against Changur Baba and his associates is registered under various sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaced the Indian Penal Code) and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. The investigation continues to unfold, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of the racket and bring all those involved to justice.