International Religious Conversion Racket Busted in Agra; Links to Lashkar, PFI, and London-Based Funding Exposed
An international religious conversion syndicate has been uncovered in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, in a major police operation. Investigations have revealed shocking details, including suspected connections to terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and the banned organization PFI (Popular Front of India).
The syndicate came to light after two sisters from the Sadar area of Agra were rescued from an illegal conversion ring in Kolkata. This led police to uncover a network stretching from Delhi to Kolkata. Evidence suggests the group was receiving foreign funding—initially traced to Canada and now also suspected from London. Notably, the nephew of Abdul Rehman, a key suspect arrested in Delhi, resides in London and is being investigated for possible involvement.
Police have also found links to Kashmiri students through whom Lashkar and PFI connections are being probed. Several names have surfaced, and financial transactions of the arrested suspects are under scrutiny.
Key Arrests and Interrogation
Ten individuals have been taken into custody for involvement in the racket:
- Rehman Qureshi, Abbu Talib, Ayesha alias S.B. Krishna, Ali Hasan alias Shekhar, Osama, Abur Rehman, Mohammad Ali, Junaid Qureshi, Mustafa alias Manoj, and Mohammad Ibrahim.
During interrogation, they revealed information about the syndicate’s funding sources. A name that emerged prominently is Syed Dawood, a man originally from Madhya Pradesh now residing in Canada. Two others from Delhi are also under the scanner, including Abdul Rehman.
Non-bailable warrants have been issued against them, and authorities are preparing a Red Corner Notice to bring Dawood back to India. On Monday, Abdul Rehman was arrested from Mustafabad, Delhi. Preliminary questioning revealed his role in securing foreign funding and establishing “safe houses” for conversions.
Operations from a Safe House in Mustafabad
Police raided Rehman’s two-story house in Mustafabad, where he operated the conversion ring. He has three sons and a daughter. In 2018, one son married a woman from Bhopal who was later converted. Rehman frequently changed his residence following the arrest of another accused, Kaleem Siddiqui, to avoid detection.
Rehman allegedly sought donations for “religious work” and promised spiritual rewards. Police seized books from his house, including “Aapki Amanat Aapki Seva Mein”, which mentions names like Parvez Akhtar, Sarfaraz Ali Jafri, and Dr. Ghayyurul Hasan. These publications contain religious preaching and contact information for conversion assistance.
Another seized title, “Islam aur Bahujan Samaj Party” was found with Rehman’s name on the cover, suggesting ideological outreach.
Financial Investigations & International Links
Commissioner Deepak Kumar confirmed that Rehman’s nephew in London is suspected of sending money to him. His bank transactions are under review to determine the sources and timings of foreign deposits. Both ATS (Anti-Terror Squad) and STF (Special Task Force) are interrogating him.
There are also reports that people from Jammu & Kashmir were involved in the racket, specifically targeting young women. In many cases, converted women were used to lure others into the fold.
Marriage & Conversion of a Haryana Woman
When police reached Rehman’s home, they found a young woman in a burqa. She was identified as a native of Rohtak, Haryana, and had already converted. She came into contact with Junaid from Delhi, who introduced her to Rehman. Despite being already married, Junaid married the Haryana woman too but did not live with her afterward.
Authorities are now investigating how the woman came into contact with Junaid, how the marriage took place, and the extent of her involvement in the network.