Japan K Pathak

Vadodara: Salahuddin Zainuddin Sheikh, a Vadodara based NGO operator who was arrested by Anti Terrorist Squads (ATS) of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly diverting foreign funds for religious conversion to Delhi based Umar Gautam is Managing Trustee of AFMI Charitable Trust. This NGO has received nearly Rs. 10 crore foreign fund in four years period during 2016-2022 as per its FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) submissions.

Salahuddin led AFMI charitable trust with registered address as Muslim Medical Centre, Haran Khana Road in Vadodara had received Rs. 3,91,52,303.42 or over Rs. 3.91 crore directly from a foreign source during the financial year 2019-20. With forward foreign contribution at the beginning of the year which was Rs. 17.68 lakh and interest of Rs. 2.22 lakh, the total foreign contribution was over Rs. 4.11 crore.

Majority of funds were from U.K. and America based organizations for specific activity/project of maintenance of hospital and help to poor. The name of the foreign located organizations that contributed majorly to AFMI were Zulekha Zinga Foundation, Majlis Al Fatah Trust Gujarati Muslim Association of America, Firdous Foundation, Ikhar Village Welfare Trust and North West Relief Trust.

Salahuddin Zainuddin Sheikh has been shown as Chief Functionary of AFMI in FCRA submissions since 2016. However the organization itself is older.

In 2018-19, total foreign contribution received by AFMI was Rs. 2,75,45,161.11 or over Rs. 2.75 crore. Foreign funds received in year 2017-18 were in tune of Rs. 1,42,30,786.27 or over Rs. 1.42 crore. In year 2016-17 it was Rs. 1,63,54,506.03 or over Rs. 1.63 crore.

The total foreign funds received from 2016 to 2020 were 9,72,82,756.83 or nearly Rs. 10 crore. The data of year 2020-21 submissions is not available.

Various websites listing the NGOs claim that AFMI Charitable Trust runs a 50-bed charitable hospital, provides monthly rations to widows and needy and run English medium school in tribal area of Chhota Udepur.

ATS has arrested Salahuddin for allegedly providing around Rs 30 lakh to Umar Gautam, the founder of Islamic Da’wah Centre (IDC) who is accused in a religious conversion case. Umar who has an office at Batla House in Delhi and another cleric, Qazi Jahangir Alam, who worked with him are arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police. DeshGujarat