North 24 Parganas20 minutes agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) conducted coordinated raids across five states on Thursday in connection with an alleged illegal infiltration and money laundering network involving Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals.
Probe linked to infiltration money laundering
The searches were carried out at 13 locations in West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra. The case originates from a 2023 FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh ATS after 74 Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals were detained in Lucknow.
Investigators alleged that certain madrasas and NGOs provided shelter, arranged forged Indian identity documents, and facilitated their rehabilitation in different parts of the country.
Multiple Bengal districts under scanner
In West Bengal, searches were conducted at multiple locations, including North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata and Murshidabad. One of the key premises searched was Harora Al-Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom in Kalikapur, North 24 Parganas.
Forgery allegations against suspected organised network
According to ED officials, ₹40 lakh in cash and gold coins weighing 180 grams were recovered from the madrasa premises during the search conducted by the agency’s Lucknow zonal office. The cash was allegedly found in the office, while the gold coins were recovered from the library.
Officials said the person in charge of the premises could not provide a satisfactory explanation, and the items were seized under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Investigation into foreign funding continues actively
Other locations searched included Batla House and Madanpur Khadar in New Delhi, Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Raigarh in Maharashtra, and institutions such as Sun Shine Health and Social Welfare Society and Kabirbag Millat Academy.
Authorities examine financial and identity records
The ED said the investigation is focused on an alleged organised syndicate involved in facilitating illegal infiltration, arranging forged documents and channeling funds through institutions under scrutiny. Authorities are also examining possible foreign funding links and financial transactions connected to the network.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials said further action will depend on the evidence collected during the raids.
