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In a significant development, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has apprehended four individuals associated with the ‘Halal Council of India’ on charges of extorting money through the issuance of allegedly ‘fake’ halal certificates. The arrested individuals, including the president, general secretary, treasurer, and another member of the council, were identified as Maulana Mudassir, Habib Yusuf Patel, Md Anwar Khan, and Mohammed Tahir.
During the operation, authorities seized several documents and personal belongings from the suspects, including Aadhar cards, PAN cards, mobile phones, ATM cards, driving licenses, voter cards, and cash amounting to Rs 21,820. Investigations revealed that the Halal Council of India purportedly charged Rs 10,000 per certificate without possessing the requisite authority to issue such certifications.
The arrests come in the wake of the Uttar Pradesh government’s ban on the “manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of halal-certified products” within the state. This action was prompted by concerns over illicit financial activities and the potential promotion of religious discord. The case filed in Lucknow highlights the alleged exploitation of halal certification for unlawful financial gains, coupled with suspicions of funding anti-national and separatist entities.
Halal certification typically signifies compliance with Islamic principles regarding the production and consumption of goods. It assures consumers, particularly adherents of Islam, that the product is free from any prohibited substances or practices according to Islamic dietary laws. The investigation underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of such certifications to uphold consumer trust and prevent exploitation for fraudulent purposes.
