Illegal madrassa linked to UK-based Islamic preacher demolished in UP

Authorities in Sant Kabir Nagar began demolishing an allegedly illegal madrassa linked to UK-based cleric Shamshul Huda Khan after court appeals were dismissed. The action follows investigations by multiple agencies over alleged illegal funding and suspected extremist links

Sant Kabir Nagar (UP): Amid tight security, authorities on Sunday started the demolition of an alleged illegal madrassa built in Khalilabad town here by a UK-based Islamic preacher who is accused of having radical links.

The action was initiated at the madrassa located in Meat Mandi area a day after an appeal filed by the madrassa committee against the demolition notice was dismissed, according to Sub-Divisional Magistrate Hriday Ram Tiwari. The madrassa is linked to Maulana Shamshul Huda Khan, who acquired British citizenship in 2013 and is accused of constructing the structure illegally, officials said. According to the administration, multiple agencies, including the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), conducted investigations against Khan.

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These probes allegedly revealed instances of illegal foreign funding and suspected links to terror-related activities, following which an FIR was registered against Khan at Khalilabad police station. Tiwari said the land on which the madrassa was built had recently been “merged” with government land and that the building plan had not been approved by authorities.

He said that a case related to the demolition order issued by the SDM court was pending before the commissioner’s court, but the appeal filed by the madrassa committee was dismissed on Saturday.

“There is no case pending in any court now in this connection, and therefore action has been initiated,” the SDM said. Additional District Magistrate Jai Prakash and Circle Officer Priyam Rajshekhar were present at the site along with a large contingent of police personnel.

A native of Azamgarh district, Khan allegedly channelled funds to various madrassas through his NGO named Raja Foundation as well as through his personal bank accounts, ED officials had said.

Khan is reported to have visited Pakistan and is alleged by the officials to be a member of a Pakistani radical organisation, ‘Dawat E Islami’. At least three FIRs have been registered against him by the Uttar Pradesh police on charges of fraud, forgery and criminal conspiracy.