The Enforcement Directorate (ED) yesterday conducted raids at 13 locations in West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the basis of a money laundering investigation on the illegal infiltration and rehabilitation of Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in India.
The searches were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after an FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2024. According to the ED, the case involves illegal infiltration, forged identity documents, suspicious foreign funding and money laundering.
Charitable Trusts Under FCRA Scanner
Several charitable trusts registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) are now under investigation for receiving funds from entities based in the UK, the ED said.
The agency claimed that these funds were routed through multiple layers of transactions before being transferred in small amounts (Rs 6,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000) to avoid regulatory scrutiny.
The funds were used to provide financial assistance to suspected illegal immigrants such as direct cash benefits, employment opportunities and e-rickshaws to help them earn a regular income, investigators say.
The ED's allegations are part of an ongoing investigation and thus will be subject to judicial review.
Alleged Network for Illegal Infiltration
According to the probe agency, an organised network enabled the illegal entry of Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals through the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The agency alleged that one group helped infiltrators cross into India through border districts of West Bengal, while another group arranged forged Indian identity documents such as Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and passports, before helping them settle in different parts of the country.
The ED also believes the network worked in a coordinated manner to provide illegal immigrants with documentation and financial support.
Digital Evidence Seized
To conduct the searches, ED officials seized several digital devices and documents that are to be studied throughout the investigation.
The agency also recorded statements from key individuals connected to the case.
Officials also said the investigation is still ongoing and the evidence collected in raids will be used for further investigation.
Link to Earlier Money Laundering Probe
The recent operation follows an earlier ED investigation launched in December 2025 of Mohammed Sadeeque alias Sadik Khan, former president of the Alfurkan Educational Trust in Bikaner.
The ED alleged that charitable donations were diverted for unlawful activities, foreign travel and links with radical elements. The agency also alleged suspicious foreign funding and financial irregularities involving the trust.
Like this situation, those allegations are still under court investigation and no conclusion has been reached.
The new raids are the ED’s second in a week investigating the misuse of charitable organisations, foreign contributions and financial networks associated with illegal immigration. And authorities are now investigating whether more people or organisations were involved in helping to move, settle and financially rehabilitate the suspected illegal immigrants across different states.
