Lucknow, Jul 16: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out searches at multiple locations across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and West Bengal as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged terror funding and illegal infiltration network.
According to officials, the agency searched 13 premises under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an operation led by its Lucknow Zonal Office.
The ED’s case, registered in 2024, is based on an FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) alleging the existence of an organised syndicate involved in facilitating the illegal infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India.
Investigators allege the network arranged forged Indian identity documents and assisted infiltrators in settling in different parts of the country.
The ATS investigation also uncovered what it described as a “deep-rooted” financial network involving certain charitable trusts and other entities allegedly receiving substantial foreign contributions.
According to officials, the funds were allegedly diverted through multiple bank accounts, mule accounts and layered financial transactions to facilitate illegal activities.
The probe has also indicated the use of cash withdrawals and small-value bank transfers to suspected beneficiaries as part of the alleged network.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited from the Enforcement Directorate.
