Lucknow: An investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) into alleged religious conversion activities at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has found the involvement of 13 doctors and some 12 others, suggesting that the case may extend beyond the original complainant.
The STF examined statements of witnesses and alleged victims, digital records, WhatsApp groups and other documents while preparing its report. The findings also allegedly point to the involvement of some people who have since left KGMU and joined other institutions.
ThePrint has learnt that the STF probe has found the activities may have involved an organised network, with links reportedly extending beyond Lucknow to other medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. The STF has examined contacts associated with medical institutions in Agra and Etah, while some connections in other states are also being investigated.
The case initially came to light after a woman doctor at KGMU lodged a complaint against one Dr Rameez, accusing him of trying to influence her and pressuring her to convert to another religion. The police registered a First Information Report and initiated an investigation. Dr Rameez was subsequently arrested and sent to jail.
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force, headed by Additional Director General (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash, started probing this matter from January this year just after the arrest of Dr Rameez. The STF unit submitted its report to the state home department this month.
Following the findings in the STF report, the KGMU administration is preparing to conduct its own inquiry.
KGMU spokesperson Dr K.K. Singh said in a statement that the university administration would constitute an inquiry committee. “The committee will conduct an impartial investigation into the entire matter. Departmental action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” he added.
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Tip of the iceberg
A senior state police officer told ThePrint that while the case initially appeared to involve one accused and one complainant, further investigation brought several other names and their alleged connections to the fore. As the STF widened its probe, complaints and allegations involving doctors and employees from different departments of KGMU also emerged.
The investigation also examined how the university administration had responded to earlier complaints. The STF report is said to mention the alleged role of certain individuals in suppressing complaints or helping those accused evade action.
The STF has found that Dr Rameez was allegedly in contact with several other doctors and individuals. According to the allegations being investigated, the accused would first establish friendships and social relationships with non-Muslim students before attempting to influence their religious beliefs and persuade them to convert.
The STF investigation was not limited to KGMU. It also examined the contacts of people associated with Sarojini Naidu Medical College in Agra and the Etah medical college.
The name of Dr Rizwan Malik, described as a close associate of Dr Rameez, has also emerged in the investigation. He reportedly worked at the Etah Medical College for around five years. The STF has gathered details of the alleged links between Dr Rameez, Dr Rizwan Malik and several other individuals.
During the investigation, the STF also identified a WhatsApp group allegedly named ‘Islamic Medicos’, which reportedly had several members associated with the medical profession. The agency examined conversations in the group, interactions among its members and the material shared on the platform.
The investigation also looked into the alleged use of books and magazines to establish contacts with current and former medical students and expand the network.
The STF report refers to information about namaz being offered on the second floor of the gymnasium building inside the KGMU campus in 2013. According to the allegations mentioned in the report, a separate space had been arranged for offering namaz despite a mosque already being present on the university campus. The investigation also examined allegations that outsiders were allowed on the premises to deliver religious sermons.
The agency sought to establish how such activities allegedly took place within the institution and identify those involved. The report mentions allegations that certain individuals attempted to influence doctors and students through religious teachings.
Among other things, the STF investigation has flagged allegations that around Rs 10 lakh was collected every month in the name of zakat (Islamic charitable contributions).
The alleged network’s links reportedly extend beyond Lucknow to Agra, Etah, Basti, Bareilly and Deoband.
Investigators are now trying to establish the source of the funds, the people who received them and how the money was allegedly used. Bank accounts and suspicious financial transactions are also being examined. The investigation has further flagged claims that more than 100 doctors and religious clerics were allegedly associated with the network.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)