ATS freezes accounts of fake trust ‘Gulzar-e-Raza’ over suspicious funds

The probe agency is investigating the case, as a portion of these funds allegedly originated from foreign and dubious accounts. FILE PIC

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday said that the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has frozen the bank accounts of ‘Gulzar-e-Raza', a fake trust, and launched an investigation after preliminary findings suggested the organisation received funds from suspicious foreign sources.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the organisation, allegedly operating under the guise of religious activities, had collected crores of rupees from the public. The trust has been accused of misleading people and engaging in suspicious activities, raising serious concerns over financial irregularities and the misuse of public trust.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Fadnavis further said that the organisation had collected around Rs 4 crore through donations. Noting that the transactions appeared suspicious, he said the ATS has initiated a probe and frozen the bank accounts. "The probe agency is also investigating, as a portion of these funds originated from foreign and dubious accounts," he added.

The case

The Gulzar-e-Raza came under suspicion following a routine verification by the Sambhajinagar unit of the ATS of various NGOs and trusts in Beed district. The trust allegedly collected crores of rupees from the public under the guise of religious activities.

A probe revealed that the trust siphoned off Rs 4.73 crore. Following investigations, a case of fraud has been registered against four trustees in Beed. According to the officials, the authorities have arrested two and are on the lookout for two others in connection with the case.