ED searches UK-based Islamic preacher's homes in money laundering probe
India Today
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at two premises in Uttar Pradesh as part of a money laundering probe against UK-based preacher Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan over alleged illegal funding, concealment of foreign citizenship and unlawful acquisition of assets.
The ED Lucknow has intensified its probe into an alleged money laundering and illegal funding case against UK-based Islamic preacher Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan by conducting search operations at two premises in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.
The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged fraud, concealment of foreign citizenship and unlawful acquisition of assets.
The searches were carried out at two residential premises linked to the accused in Sant Kabir Nagar and Azamgarh districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The ED initiated the investigation based on three FIRs registered by Uttar Pradesh Police alleging offences related to fraud, forgery and criminal conspiracy. According to the agency, Shamsul Huda Khan was initially appointed as a primary school teacher in a madrasa in 1984. He allegedly acquired UK citizenship in 2013. Despite acquiring foreign citizenship, he allegedly continued to draw salary till 2017 and, after retirement, received pensionary benefits till 2023.
The agency alleged that the accused concealed foreign citizenship, misrepresented nationality, unlawfully acquired immovable properties, and received government salary and retirement benefits without entitlement. It further alleged that illegal funds were routed through NGOs controlled by the accused in the guise of donations and were used for constructing madrasas and acquiring properties.
During the investigation, financial analysis revealed that more than Rs 5 crore was received in the bank accounts of Shamsul Huda Khan and entities controlled by him. These accounts were maintained with Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank and State Bank of India.
The NDA won all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar after four Opposition MLAs skipped voting, dealing a setback to the Mahagathbandhan. The alliance also secured two seats in Odisha amid cross-voting by Opposition MLAs during the biennial polls.
A 46,000-tonne LPG shipment aboard Shivalik reached Gujarat's Mundra Port, carrying around 32 lakh domestic cylinders, as authorities rushed supplies to ease shortages triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
India depends on imports to meet its demand for urea, one of the most widely-used fertilisers in India.
India Today's OSINT team identified at least 22 Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Gulf region, including seven LPG carriers, seven oil tankers, four container ships, two bulk carriers, one tug and one dredger.
India on Monday said it has not held bilateral talks with the United States on deploying naval vessels to secure merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The clarification came after US President Donald Trump urged countries to send warships to keep the strategic waterway open amid tensions with Iran.
After attacking his wife, Nafees attempted suicide by inflicting injuries on himself with the same scissors. Neighbours intervened after hearing the commotion and stopped him from taking his own life.
The victim, identified as Naitik Kumar, allegedly rammed his speeding Bullet motorcycle into a scooter near Janeshwar Mishra Park in Lucknow, triggering a crash that left him dead and two others injured.
RJD MLA who skipped Bihar Rajya Sabha poll voting cites mother's illness
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march in Kolkata against the alleged LPG shortage, accusing the PM Narendra Modi-led Centre of failing to ensure adequate supply.
Himayani Puri, daughter of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, has moved the Delhi High Court over "false and malicious" reports linking her to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The family, a resident of Thyagaraju Street in Punganur town, had recently repaired the engine of their two-wheeler vehicle. A local mechanic advised the family to keep the engine running overnight to "set" the newly installed parts. However, this turned out to be fatal for the family.
The Supreme Court closed criminal proceedings against Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad after the Haryana government said it would not grant sanction to prosecute him over social media posts related to Operation Sindoor.
Three Congress MLAs in Bihar are reportedly out of contact as voting for five Rajya Sabha seats is underway, with the INDIA bloc and the BJP-led NDA locked in a tight contest for the fifth seat that could hinge on cross-voting.