ED recovers ₹40 lakh cash, gold from Bengal madrasa in 'terror funding' probe

The searches, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), covered 16 locations in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Haryana.

According to officials, the probe focuses on an alleged syndicate accused of facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India using forged identity documents while allegedly diverting foreign funds through charitable organisations and other entities.

Cash, gold recovered from Bengal madrasa

According to the ED, the recovery was made from Al-Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom in Haroa, located in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

An official said, "The madrasa management and the staff failed to give satisfactory justification about the legal source of the cash and the coins."

Besides the cash and gold, investigators seized bank records and digital devices from various premises.

Officials said the material is being examined, while findings from the remaining 15 locations are being compiled.

The searches continued until late Thursday night.

Probe linked to illegal infiltration network

Officials said the investigation centres on an alleged syndicate accused of helping Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals illegally enter India by arranging forged Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar cards and PAN cards.

The ED is also examining whether foreign contributions received through charitable trusts, organisations and other entities were diverted through multiple bank accounts and hawala channels to finance these activities.

According to investigators, the funds were allegedly used to assist illegal immigrants in settling in different parts of the country by helping them secure employment, establish businesses and pursue other livelihoods.

Investigation traces back to 2021 arrest

According to the ED, the investigation originated from the arrest of an alleged Bangladeshi national in Varanasi in 2021, which authorities claim exposed a larger network operating across several states.

The case registered by the ED in 2024 is based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in October 2023.

The ATS alleged that the syndicate operated across West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Investigators said the inquiry began after the arrest of Mohammad, alias Adil-ur-Rehman, an alleged Bangladeshi national accused of entering India illegally and obtaining forged identity documents.

During interrogation, he allegedly disclosed that two other Bangladeshi nationals—Sheikh Najib-ul-Haque and Abu Huraira—had been living in Deoband in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district after receiving assistance from the same network.

Money trail under investigation

Based on the ATS findings, the ED is investigating an alleged financial network involving charitable trusts, organisations and associated groups.

Officials suspect these entities received substantial foreign contributions, which were allegedly diverted through layered financial transactions, mule accounts and hawala channels.

According to investigators, cash withdrawals and small-value bank transfers were also used to route funds to suspected beneficiaries.

The agency alleges the money was utilised to facilitate illegal infiltration, provide financial support and assist Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in establishing themselves in different parts of India.

ATS filed multiple chargesheets

The ATS has alleged that several NGOs in Delhi and Haryana, along with madrasas in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, formed part of the network involved in human trafficking, forging Indian identity documents and activities that posed a threat to national security.

Following the FIR registered in October 2023 on charges including human trafficking, forgery for cheating, criminal conspiracy and offences under the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act, the ATS filed seven chargesheets over the following two years.

According to the ATS, the syndicate allegedly transacted at least Rs 20 crore, including foreign funding routed through hawala channels and mule bank accounts, to facilitate illegal infiltration and settlement of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals across different states.

While opposing the bail application of one of the accused, Dr Abdul Ghaffar of Delhi, the prosecution stated earlier this year that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the ATS had been monitoring the matter since receiving intelligence inputs in October 2021.

According to the prosecution, the investigation uncovered alleged "anti-national activities" carried out by "so-called" respected members of society, who were accused of helping Rohingya and illegal Bangladeshi nationals settle in India with the intention of creating unrest and disturbing communal harmony.

Officials added that telephone numbers linked to suspected individuals were placed under surveillance.

They further said that after the ATS found evidence suggesting money laundering, it shared the findings with the ED's Lucknow Zonal Office, which subsequently registered a case under the PMLA in 2024 and launched its own investigation.