The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Lucknow Zonal Office has taken major action in a case related to terrorist funding and illegal infiltration network. ED conducted raids at around 13 different locations in four states on Thursday (July 16) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This action is going on in the money laundering case related to the illegal network of Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators.
ED raided about 13 premises in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and West Bengal. The raid is part of the money laundering investigation initiated by ED's Lucknow zonal office on the basis of the FIR of Uttar Pradesh ATS. Officials said that this money laundering case of ED is based on the FIR of Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP-ATS) in 2024, in which there is mention of an organized gang which was allegedly involved in infiltrating Rohingya and Bangladeshi citizens into India, making fake Indian identity documents for them and helping them settle in different parts of the country.
The locations searched by the team of ED's Lucknow office in coordination with the state police include Batla House and Madanpur Khadar in New Delhi, Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Raigarh in Maharashtra, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, Kolkata and Murshidabad. According to the investigating agencies, an organized gang was working to illegally infiltrate Rohingya and Bangladeshi citizens into India, get fake Indian identity cards made for them and settle them in different parts of the country.
ED investigation has revealed indications of a big financial network. The investigating agency suspects that a large amount of foreign funds were received through some charitable trusts and institutions and then sent to different places through multiple bank accounts, mule accounts and layering transactions. The investigation has also found clues of cash withdrawal and sending small amounts to different people.
ED is now investigating the financial activities of this entire network, the source of funds and the role of people associated with it. Officials say that further action will be taken on the basis of documents and digital evidence found during the search operation. ED's investigation in this matter is still going on and more revelations are expected in the coming time.
