ED uncovers foreign funding network used to aid Rohingya, Bangladeshi settlements; Multiple NGOs under scanner
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered an network involving foreign-funded charitable trusts accused of facilitating the settlement of illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants in India. Following searches across Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana and Delhi, the agency claimed to have found evidence suggesting that foreign contributions received by certain FCRA-registered organisations were diverted through layered transactions to provide financial assistance, identity documents and livelihood su
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed to have unearthed a sophisticated financial and logistical network involved in facilitating the illegal infiltration and settlement of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in India through the misuse of foreign contributions received by certain charitable organisations.
The findings emerged after the agency conducted searches at 13 locations across West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. During the raids, investigators seized digital devices, financial records and other documents that, according to the agency, point to a coordinated operation involving foreign funding, forged identity documents and rehabilitation assistance for illegal immigrants.
The investigation stems from an FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which alleged the existence of an organised syndicate engaged in facilitating the infiltration of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals into India and helping them establish themselves in different parts of the country.
🚨 BIG! ED uncovers an alleged FCRA-linked network aiding Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltration.
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) July 16, 2026
— UK-based funds allegedly routed through FCRA-registered trusts.
— Fake Aadhaar, PAN & passports allegedly arranged.
— 13 raids across 5 states.
— ₹40 lakh cash & 180g gold coins… pic.twitter.com/74cGpYURuf
According to ED officials, the probe revealed that certain public charitable trusts registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) allegedly received funds from United Kingdom-based entities and subsequently channelled portions of those funds to suspected illegal immigrants through a network of bank accounts and intermediaries.
Officials claimed that the money was transferred in small amounts, including transactions of Rs 6,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000, among other sums, to avoid attracting attention. The agency alleges that these transfers were intended to support the long-term settlement of individuals who had entered the country illegally.
"It was revealed that a syndicate operates through public charitable trusts registered under the FCRA. These trusts received funds from UK-based entities, after which the money was transferred in small tranches to suspected individuals to help them settle in India," an ED official said.
Investigators further alleged that the network was not limited to facilitating entry into the country but also provided support systems to help beneficiaries become financially self-reliant. According to the agency, some trusts allegedly arranged employment opportunities, distributed cash assistance and even provided assets such as e-rickshaws to generate a regular source of income.
Officials said the objective appeared to be the economic rehabilitation of illegal immigrants, enabling them to establish a permanent presence in India.
The ED has identified several organisations whose activities are under examination as part of the probe. These include Harora Al-Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom in West Bengal, a trust operating near Madini Masjid in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, and the Tahiria Welfare Trust in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
Search operations were carried out in Kolkata, Murshidabad, North and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, Ballabhgarh in Haryana's Faridabad district, Deoband in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district, Delhi and other locations linked to the investigation.
According to the agency, the investigation has revealed a multi-layered structure in which different groups allegedly performed distinct roles. While one set of operatives allegedly handled foreign funding and financial transactions, another was responsible for facilitating cross-border movement through border districts in West Bengal.
The ED further alleged that specialised groups were involved in creating forged identity documents, including Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, passports and other government-issued documents. These documents were allegedly used to provide new identities to infiltrators and help them access employment, government benefits and financial services.
"It was further revealed that one group was active in border districts and helped illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals enter India, while another group prepared identity documents for them before they were moved to different parts of the country," the agency said.
Investigators are also examining what they describe as a complex financial network involving charitable trusts, multiple bank accounts, mule accounts and layered transactions. The agency believes the movement of funds through numerous accounts and repeated cash withdrawals may have been designed to conceal the origin and ultimate use of the money.
The ED is currently analysing the seized electronic devices and financial records to determine the scale of the alleged operation and identify additional individuals and entities linked to the network.
The agency has not announced any arrests in connection with the money laundering investigation so far. Officials said the probe remains ongoing and further action will depend on the findings emerging from the examination of the seized material.
The case is significant as it brings together issues of illegal immigration, alleged misuse of foreign contributions, document forgery and money laundering, raising fresh questions about the monitoring of foreign-funded entities and networks suspected of aiding illegal settlement activities in India.