ATS Claims Massive Conversion Network and Hawala Transactions Under Investigation.
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide clear and precise details about the role ascribed to cleric Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui. The cleric was apprehended by the state’s anti-terrorist squad (ATS) on allegations of orchestrating a mass religious conversion scheme.
The bench, comprised of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Kumar, presided over the proceedings on Tuesday. The case pertains to a plea filed by the state police challenging the Allahabad High Court’s decision to grant bail to Siddiqui. This bail was granted on the basis of parity, as one of the co-accused had previously secured bail from the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, the bench directed Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad to prepare and submit a comprehensive tabular statement detailing Siddiqui’s alleged involvement. This statement is due to be filed by September 5, the scheduled date for the next hearing.
Earlier, on April 5, a division bench comprising Justices Attaur Rahman Masoodi and Saroj Yadav of the Allahabad High Court had ordered the release of Siddiqui on bail. Siddiqui had been arrested in Meerut under accusations of converting over 100 individuals.
According to claims made by the state ATS, Siddiqui was allegedly the mastermind behind one of the largest conversion networks spanning the nation. Additionally, substantial donations, funneled through the “hawala” system, were purportedly discovered in a trust linked to him.
As this case continues to unfold, it holds significant implications for the ongoing debate surrounding religious conversion and its legal dimensions in the country.
