New Delhi/Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday claimed to have recovered ₹40 lakh in cash and 180 grams of gold coins from a madrasa in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district during coordinated searches across 16 locations in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi and Haryana in connection with an alleged money laundering, terror funding and illegal infiltration case.
The searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of an investigation into a suspected network accused of facilitating the illegal entry of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India using forged identity documents and routing foreign funds through charitable organisations.
16 जुलाई को लखनऊ ज़ोनल ऑफिस द्वारा हरोरा अल-जमीअतुल इस्लामिया दारुल उलूम, कलिल्कापुर, पश्चिम बंगाल में सर्च एक्शन के दौरान, ऑफिस से 40 लाख रुपये कैश और लाइब्रेरी में 180 ग्राम वज़न के सोने के सिक्के मिले। pic.twitter.com/jMxO9hSzDD
— राजपूत सवित सिंह (@Savit12) July 16, 2026
Cash, Gold Recovered from Madrasa
According to the ED, the cash and gold coins were recovered from Al-Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom in Haroa, North 24 Parganas. The agency alleged that the madrasa management failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the legal source of the recovered cash and gold.
Investigators also seized bank documents, financial records and digital devices from various locations, which are now being examined for evidence of suspected financial irregularities.
Network Under Scanner
The ED alleged that the syndicate arranged forged Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and other Indian identity documents for illegal immigrants. Investigators are also examining whether foreign donations received by charitable trusts and organisations were diverted through layered bank transactions, mule accounts and hawala channels.
According to the agency, the funds were allegedly used to help illegal immigrants settle in different parts of the country by securing employment, setting up businesses and arranging other means of livelihood.
Probe Linked to 2021 Arrest
The investigation traces its origin to the 2021 arrest of an alleged Bangladeshi national in Varanasi, which investigators say exposed a wider network operating across several states.
The ED registered its money laundering case in 2024 based on an FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in October 2023. The ATS alleged that the network operated across West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh.
During the investigation, the ATS claimed to have uncovered evidence suggesting that several Bangladeshi nationals had entered India illegally with the assistance of the alleged network and obtained forged identity documents.
₹20 Crore Transactions Under Investigation
According to the ATS, the suspected network transacted nearly ₹20 crore, including foreign funds allegedly routed through hawala channels and mule bank accounts, to facilitate illegal infiltration and settlement of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals.
The ATS has filed seven chargesheets in the case, alleging offences including human trafficking, forgery, criminal conspiracy, violations of the Foreigners Act and Passport Act, while also naming several NGOs and madrasas allegedly linked to the network.
The ED said its investigation is continuing and that evidence collected during the searches is being analysed to trace the alleged money trail and identify those involved.
