From a small-time seller of rings and lucky charms on a bicycle to a man with ₹106 crore spread across 40 bank accounts and properties worth crores, Jalaluddin’s transformation into Chhangur Baba or Peer Baba is shocking. Now arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP-ATS), he is accused of running a large religious conversion racket in Balrampur. Officials say Chhangur Baba targeted women from non-Muslim communities and even kept a "rate list" for their conversions. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called this a "conspiracy" that is not just anti-social and anti-national but also a serious threat to India’s social harmony.

Sources told India Today TV that he converted over 3,000 to 4,000 Hindus, with more than 1,500 women believed to be among the victims. Most victims, however, are afraid to speak up against him. Along with the shocking allegations of mass religious conversions and illegal foreign funding, the Balrampur administration in Uttar Pradesh demolished Chhangur Baba’s mansion on July 8. The house was declared an illegal construction, and heavy police forces were present during the demolition.

Cash reward, warrant and arrest

After a non-bailable warrant was issued and a cash reward of ₹50,000 was announced for his arrest, Chhangur Baba was finally caught by the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on July 5, along with his aide, Neetu alias Nasreen. His mansion, demolished on July 8, was built illegally near a dargah in Balrampur’s Madhpur village. This lavish property was reportedly part of an empire created from over ₹106 crore received from the Middle East.

Chhangur Baba has been arrested on charges of mass religious conversion, financial fraud, and suspected links to terror activities. It is the shocking journey of a man who started as a small-time gemstone and charm seller and slowly gained influence in the area, even becoming the village head.

Now, he is facing investigations by multiple agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). So, who exactly is Chhangur Baba? How did a man who once sold charms on a bicycle become the alleged mastermind behind a multi-crore conversion racket?

The rise of Chhangur baba

Chhangur Baba, whose real name is Jalaluddin, is accused of running a large religious conversion racket from Balrampur district in Uttar Pradesh. He is said to have received over ₹100 crore in foreign money, reportedly from Gulf countries and even Pakistan. With this money coming into 40 different bank accounts, he quickly became rich and expanded his activities. He even bought expensive properties, including a plot in Lonavala worth ₹16.49 crore.

He was arrested along with three close aides, and the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is now questioning him. The UP Police also found illegal books and documents with him, which suggest he wanted to create an "Islamic state." A local journalist from Balrampur, Alok, who had been speaking against Chhangur Baba for a long time, told Aaj Tak that his story began in 2015. Back then, he used to sell gemstones from a bicycle shop near a local shrine (majar).

After a few years, Chhangur Baba moved to Mumbai. There, one of his followers took him to Saudi Arabia, where he stayed for a short time. When he came back, he grew his network in Mumbai and started becoming known in Balrampur. Later, he returned to Balrampur, set up an ashram, and wore a robe (chola). Many people started visiting and following him after that.

After moving back to Balrampur, Chhangur Baba started spreading his activities to nearby districts. His relatives and followers held conversion events in different places. Some of his family members also have criminal cases against them in Azamgarh district, sources told India Today TV.

He mainly targeted poor, helpless, and widowed women, tricking them into converting, the sources said. His close associate, Naveen Rohra, came back from Dubai and started buying land in Balrampur. Sources said that crores of rupees were sent from foreign countries into the bank accounts of Naveen, Chhangur Baba, Neetu, and another aide named Mehboob. There are also reports that Naveen might have a Swiss bank account.

Caste-based rate card

 Police said they found a diary at Jalaluddin’s hideout that had the names of over 100 people who were being targeted for conversion. The investigation started after a local man named Arvind Kumar filed a complaint about suspicious activities in Madhpur village, according to The Times of India. In one case, a woman from Lucknow was tricked by a Muslim man pretending to be Hindu. Later, Neetu and others forced her to convert.

Jalaluddin ran a well-planned gang and paid money for each conversion — ₹15–16 lakh for Brahmin or Kshatriya women, ₹10–12 lakh for OBC women, and ₹8–10 lakh for women from other castes. A UP-ATS officer told The Times of India that for the last 3–4 years, Jalaluddin and his family lived near Balrampur’s Chand Auliya Dargah. There, he acted as a Sufi saint called Hazrat Baba Jalaluddin "Peer Baba" and wrote a book to promote Islam.

Local journalist Alok told Aaj Tak that Chhangur Baba became powerful because he had strong connections with local judges and officials. "Anyone who went against him had to face problems. He was close to the police and top officers. Even the local SP and DM were his followers. Many visitors, including people from other cities and even foreigners, came to see him," Alok said.

UP Women’s Commission Chief Babita Chauhan called these incidents very unfortunate. She said, "You can’t always see who is dangerous behind a friendly face. We were very worried, especially because children were also going missing. Catching him is a big success." She also said Jalaluddin should get the death penalty.

Aparna Yadav, Vice Chairperson of the Women’s Commission, said, "The bulldozer has become a symbol of justice. In cases like this, it sends a strong message. CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi truly care about women’s safety and respect." After Jalaluddin and Neetu were arrested, the court gave police seven days to keep them in custody and question them further.