Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan Booked for Fraud and Foreign Fund Misuse in Uttar Pradesh
In a significant development in Uttar Pradesh, Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan, a British citizen originally from Deoria Lala village in Sant Kabir Nagar district, has been booked under serious charges including fraud and violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The FIR was registered at Khalilabad police station based on an extensive investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Varanasi unit.
The ATS report revealed that despite holding British citizenship, Maulana Khan frequently traveled between India and Pakistan. During these travels, he reportedly maintained contacts with radical clerics in Pakistan and suspicious elements in Jammu and Kashmir. It is alleged that he collected foreign funds through his NGO ‘Raza Foundation’ and channeled the money to Indian madrasas through unauthorized means, thus posing a threat to national security.
Further investigation uncovered that Maulana Khan operated two madrasas, one in Azamgarh and another in Sant Kabir Nagar, whose recognition was recently canceled following the probe. The registration of the Raza Foundation was also revoked. The charges include using the NGO as a front to divert funds for personal gains and promoting radicalization under the guise of religious education.
Previously serving as the manager of Darul Uloom Ahle Sunnat Ashrafia Misbahul Uloom madrasa in Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Maulana Khan allegedly continued receiving salaries from the madrasa even after acquiring British citizenship in 2013 and subsequently taking voluntary retirement in 2017.
Local authorities have initiated legal proceedings under the Indian Penal Code section 318(4) for fraud and applicable sections of FEMA 1999. The ongoing investigation points toward Maulana Khan’s attempts to spread radical ideology and strengthen his influence network via digital platforms and offline outreach.
This case underscores the challenges posed by dual citizenship and illicit foreign funding in the realm of religious institutions and national security, prompting wider vigilance and strict action by state and central agencies.
This development has drawn attention to the nexus between foreign funding, radicalization, and misuse of charitable organizations, leading to decisive administrative and legal measures in Uttar Pradesh.
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