UP ATS arrests Muslim cleric for running religious conversion syndicate

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested a Muslim cleric from Meerut on Tuesday night for allegedly running a nationwide syndicate for massive religious conversion.

According to Uttar Pradesh Police, Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, a resident of Muzaffarnagar was involved in illegal conversions under the guise of various educational, social and religious institutions.

“These conversions were happening at a countrywide level. For this purpose, funding has been done from foreign countries. It has also been proved that Siddiqui runs the biggest religious conversion syndicate in the country,” the police said in a statement.

Police said Siddiqui “misleads and intimidate” non-Muslims for religious conversion.

“He used to circulate printed material and upload videos on social media to influence people. The accused also runs a trust ‘Jamia Imam Waliulla’,” it informed.

In the investigation so far, Police said it was found that Siddiqui’s trust received Rs 3 crore funding including Rs 1.5 crore from Bahrain.

Investigation shows Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui’s trust received Rs 3 crores in foreign funding including Rs 1.5 crores from Bahrain. Six teams of ATS have been formed to investigate this case: Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar pic.twitter.com/QQAKI63YMe

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 22, 2021

After the arrest, Siddiqui was taken to ATS headquarter for interrogation. He was then produced before the court. UP ATS has demanded police custody of Siddiqui for further interrogation.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh ATS has constituted a six-member team to investigate the matter.

Earlier, Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui conducted Bollywood actress and ex Bigg Boss Sana Khan and Maulana Anas Syed marriage ceremony on November 20.