An ED spokesperson said that the agency’s investigation was based on a case against Mr. Khan registered under Sections of Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act by the Rajasthan Police.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has carried out search operations at multiple locations in Rajasthan’s Bikaner as part of a money laundering investigation against a religious preacher and trader, Sadeeque Khan, and his close associates.
Mr. Khan, the amir (head) of Jamiat Ahle Hadees, has been accused of indulging in hawala dealings and suspicious financial transactions running into crores of rupees routed through nearly 20 bank accounts operated and controlled by him. The raids were conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
An ED spokesperson said here on Thursday (September 18, 2025) that the agency’s investigation was based on a case against Mr. Khan registered under Sections of Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act by the Rajasthan Police. “Information was also received regarding his involvement in unlawful religious conversions and activities posing a potential threat to national security,” the spokesperson said.
Even though Mr. Khan was not found to have any legitimate and substantial personal income, he had undertaken multiple foreign visits in the past few years to several countries, including Bangladesh, Iran, Oman, Nepal, and Qatar, with long stays.
Mr. Khan is suspected to be involved in the activities of foreign fund collection through “dubious channels”, arms trafficking, dissemination of inflammatory contents, forced religious conversions, and misuse of religious institutions, according to the ED spokesperson.
Published – September 18, 2025 11:14 pm IST
