Balrampur (Uttar Pradesh): Once a street vendor selling rings and gemstones, Jamaluddin alias ‘Changur Baba’ is now at the centre of one of Uttar Pradesh’s biggest illegal religious conversion crackdowns. Accused of masterminding a pan-district conversion racket, Baba’s empire—spread across 3 bighas with a lavish mansion—was razed to the ground by authorities, exposing a tale of deceit, power, and illegal foreign funding.
Originally from Rehra Mafi village under Utraula tehsil, Jamaluddin had lived modestly in a dilapidated ancestral house. Over a decade ago, he mysteriously left the village and re-emerged in Madhupur with sudden wealth and a sprawling estate. This same estate was demolished yesterday by the district administration following his arrest.
According to UP STF, Baba allegedly targeted women—particularly from upper castes—for conversion, offering up to ₹15-16 lakh per case, while those from backward castes were promised ₹10 lakh. His alleged involvement in mass conversions earned him the tag of “mastermind” in the illegal religious conversion nexus.
What baffles both investigators and locals is how a former street peddler amassed wealth exceeding ₹100 crore. Preliminary findings suggest a trail of hawala transactions and foreign funding, possibly from Gulf countries, with Baba reportedly travelling to these nations over 50 times. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is now expected to probe these financial links.
Interestingly, the property razed in Madhupur is officially registered in the name of Neetu Arora alias Nasreen, believed to be one of Baba’s close associates or disciples. Police suspect a wider racket involving influential figures across neighbouring districts.
Following complaints by Hindu organisations and revelations during the “ghar wapsi” campaigns, several victims came forward, triggering a wider investigation. Baba was finally arrested in a Lucknow hotel while in the company of a woman.
Tight security was deployed during the demolition, with three bulldozers and a large police force sealing off the area. Authorities confirmed the mansion was built on encroached government land, justifying its demolition.
The case continues to unravel, promising more high-profile names and deeper links in the days ahead.
