NEW DELHI, July 16: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Thursday carried out search operations at 16 premises across West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and other locations in a crackdown on an alleged terror-funding and illegal-infiltration racket.
The raids, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, were led by the agency’s Lucknow Zonal Office.
The case stems from an FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad (UP ATS) on October 11, 2023, against a syndicate accused of facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India.
The group allegedly provided forged Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and passports, and helped rehabilitate infiltrators in different parts of the country. Investigations revealed a network involved in document forgery, human trafficking, and illegal settlement of foreign nationals.
Authorities also identified suspected involvement of certain charitable trusts and entities that allegedly received foreign contributions through FCRA routes.
Funds were reportedly diverted via mule bank accounts and cash withdrawals to support infiltration activities, transferred in small tranches to multiple beneficiaries. Statements of key individuals were recorded. (IANS)
