ED Files Case on Islamic Preacher from UP

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has registered a money-laundering case against Islamic preacher Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan for alleged radical links, including with a Pakistan-based outfit.

The case has been filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Khan, a native of Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, is currently residing in the United Kingdom. According to ED officials, Khan was appointed as an assistant teacher in a government-aided madrasa in Uttar Pradesh in 1984. He allegedly acquired British citizenship in 2013 but continued to draw salary between 2013 and 2017 despite neither being an Indian citizen nor performing teaching duties, while living abroad.

Investigations revealed that Khan travelled to several foreign countries over the past two decades and allegedly received funds through seven to eight bank accounts maintained in India. The ED also said around a dozen immovable properties, collectively valued at about ₹30 crore, were allegedly acquired by him. Officials alleged that Khan promoted radical ideology and was involved in illegal funding activities under the guise of religious education. He is accused of channelling funds to various madrassas through his NGO, Raja Foundation, as well as through personal bank accounts.

The agency further claimed that Khan established two madrassas in Azamgarh and Sant Kabir Nagar, whose registrations were later cancelled. His alleged links with radical organisations based in the UK are under investigation.

The ED said Khan had also visited Pakistan and is suspected to be associated with the Pakistan-based radical organisation Dawat-e-Islami. The agency is probing his funding network, foreign linkages and assets as part of the ongoing investigation. Khan could not be contacted for comment.