Authorities in Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, have sealed an illegally operating madrassa. The action follows the booking of a British national cleric on charges of foreign funding violations. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is also investigating the cleric’s connections, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash confirmed.
The madrassa, located in Khalilabad town, was allegedly run by Tauseef Raja, son of the cleric. Sant Kabir Nagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Arun Kumar stated the sealing followed due process. Kumar noted the madrassa had been shut previously. However, a new facility operating under the same name prompted the recent action.
Cleric Booked for Funding Irregularities
An FIR has been registered against Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan, a British national. The District Minority Officer (DMO) confirmed the charges on Sunday . Khan faces charges under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita are also applied for alleged foreign funding irregularities.
Officials stated the madrassa was originally registered on March 31, 2017 . It was closed by the administration after initial allegations of illegal foreign funding. Station House Officer (SHO) Pankaj Kumar Pandey reported Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan has not been seen in the district for a considerable time.
ATS Investigation Uncovers Connections
ADG Yash detailed the ATS investigation into Shamsul Huda Khan. The probe revealed Khan frequently traveled abroad. He used the pretext of Islamic religious preaching for these trips. Khan reportedly visited various parts of Pakistan . He maintained contact with individuals there. Through close associates in India, he also communicated with ‘suspicious individuals’ in Jammu and Kashmir . The cleric engaged in other ‘suspicious activities,’ according to Yash.
Cleric’s Employment and Residency History
The investigation showed Shamsul Huda Khan was appointed as an assistant teacher. He worked at Madrassa Darul Uloom Ahle Sunnat Ashrafia Mubarakpur, Azamgarh. This appointment occurred on July 12, 1984 .
Since 2007-08 , Khan has primarily resided in the United Kingdom. He voluntarily obtained British citizenship on December 19, 2013 . Between 2007 and 2017 , Khan continued to receive annual salary increments. This occurred without any verification of his service record. On August 1, 2017 , he was granted voluntary retirement and pension benefits. ADGP Yash described this process as ‘entirely irregular’.
Allegations of Foreign Fund Collection
Investigators found Khan repeatedly traveled abroad while working at the madrassa. He collected funds from foreign sources. These funds were transferred through various channels to different madrassas. Khan also allegedly received commissions for these transfers, officials stated.
Based on the ATS investigation report, the District Minority Welfare Officer, Sant Kabir Nagar, lodged an FIR. The FIR was filed against Shamsul Huda Khan at Khalilabad Police Station on November 2, 2025 . The investigation into this case remains ongoing. His madrassa has been sealed as part of the ongoing probe.
Two other criminal cases have been registered against the cleric. These cases are in Sant Kabir Nagar and Azamgarh. Chargesheets have already been filed in both matters, ADG Yash confirmed.