ED Arrests Rajasthan Trust Chief Over Money Laundering and Radicalisation

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Mohammed Sadeeque, former president of Alfurkan Educational Trust in Bikaner, Rajasthan, in connection with money laundering and activities linked to forced religious conversions and radicalisation. The federal agency alleged that Sadeeque systematically diverted public donations, conducted extensive cash-based operations, and maintained suspicious foreign links while promoting radical agendas under the guise of charitable work.

Following his arrest, the court granted ED custody of Sadeeque for three days to allow further investigation. The probe was initiated based on cases registered by Rajasthan Police and credible information suggesting his involvement in Dawah activities, forced religious conversions, and connections with overseas radical groups, alongside high-value financial transactions routed through his and his family members’ bank accounts.

Investigators discovered that the Alfurkan Educational Trust, which manages Masjid-e-Ayesha, routinely collected large sums of donations in cash without proper financial documentation. The ED alleged that Sadeeque retained these funds entirely under his control, diverting them for personal use and to finance foreign travel, meetings with banned organisations, and other unlawful activities.

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The investigation revealed multiple foreign trips to Bangladesh, Nepal, Qatar, and Oman, funded through unverified cash, and direct engagement with individuals linked to proscribed outfits such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB/JuM). Officials also found evidence suggesting plans to travel to conflict zones in Syria, which were intercepted by immigration authorities. Additionally, Sadeeque’s activities reportedly included inflammatory speeches, burning of foreign flags at public events, and mobilising donations through such acts to further radical agendas.

Further examination uncovered a lack of legitimate income over several years, with Sadeeque allegedly relying on illicit activities including gambling, illegal liquor trade, and dealing in country-made firearms. The probe recovered weapons and ammunition from him and associates, indicating a deliberate misuse of charitable donations to fund clandestine and criminal operations under the pretense of religious and social work.

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