Maulana Saad came under scrutiny after a large religious congregation was held at Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz in March 2020. The event became a COVID-19 hotspot, prompting the Delhi Police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against him on March 31, 2020.
He was later booked under serious charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. This criminal case became the predicate for financial probes into Saad’s activities.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com, opindia.com.
Money Laundering Case by Enforcement Directorate (ED)
On April 16, 2020, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money laundering case against Maulana Saad. (Note: In India, the ED is a specialized financial investigation agency under India’s Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance).
A formal Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was lodged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), based on the Delhi Police FIR.
Investigators began examining the finances and transactions of his circle. The ED made it clear it would probe Saad’s personal finances, as well as donations he received from both domestic and foreign sources.
Source: Times of India
An unusual large sum of money was deposited in March 2020 but was quickly dispersed within 2 days
As the investigation progressed, unusual financial transactions came to light. Officials discovered an unusual large sum of money was donated to the Markaz bank account in March 2020. However, within 24–48 hours of its receipt, the money was quickly transferred into more than a dozen different bank accounts via internet banking.
This swift dispersion of funds triggered suspicion that the transactions were intended to avoid detection and embazzle the (possibly donation) money.
Source: OpIndia
A man named Javed was orchestrating the large transfers into the Markaz’s bank account
The Investigators alleged that one of Maulana Saad’s close associates, a man named Javed, was orchestrating these unusual frequent transfers – funneling large amounts in batches from various accounts into the Markaz’s main account.
This raised red flags about possible money laundering. In fact, one report (citing the crime branch) went so far as to claim Saad had been receiving funds “in the tune of billions” of rupees from anti-national sources under the guise of donations.
Source: OpIndia.com.
Delhi Police Froze 32 Bank Accounts after investigation
By May 2020, the financial probe led to a concrete action: The Delhi Police Crime Branch froze at least 32 bank accounts related to the case.
These included accounts held in the name of Maulana Saad, his close associates, and other Markaz entities. Notably, the main account of the Markaz was at a Bank of India branch in Old Delhi’s Lal Kuan. This account was among those sealed.
Investigators found all these accounts had recorded frequent transactions, and many had received significant foreign funds
Source: India TV news
Investigators suspect that foreign donation money was embazzled and misused
The crime branch unearthed bank deposits from Gulf countries amounting to “crores of rupees” (tens of millions of rupees) into the Markaz Bank Account.
If these foreign funds were donation for the Markaz, why was the bulk of the money transfered to these 32 accounts? Investigators suspect that the overseas donation might have been embazzled or misused.
Source: India TV news, News Nation
Investigators found some bank accounts were controlled by Maulana Saad’s family members
An ABP News investigation disclosed that the connected bank accounts were managed by Maulana Saad’s own family members – specifically, his three sons and a nephew. Saad’s family had direct access to the cash flows in these accounts.
The investigation showed a substantial wealth had been accumulated by Maulana Saad.
Source: Maulana Saad’s sons, nephew managed bank accounts
Maulana Saad Net Worth is estimated to be USD $270 Million (₹2000 Crore)
Following the financial investigations, some media reports have said that Maulana Saad himself admitted (to the enforcement agencies) that he has assets worth USD $270 Million Dollars (₹2000 Crore Indian Rupees).
Exclusive information has been obtained indicating that, according to Maulana Saad himself, he has amassed property worth more than ₹2,000 crore through his international network
News Nation, April 25, 2020
His three sons managed the foreign funding accounts, through which Maulana Saad has amassed this ₹2,000 crore ($270M USD) of assets.
India TV, April 18, 2020
These figures are however based on investigative journalism and have not been officially confirmed by enforcement agencies or courts.
Source: News Nation, India TV
ED found “layering of funds” to disguise the embazzlement
On May 2020, the ED and cooperating agencies have identified a network of 14 key people involved in the Markaz’s finances. Many of these individuals were based abroad and appeared to be funneling money into India for the Markaz
The ED found an attempt of “layering funds”. Money would enter one account and then quickly embazzled to another account within a day to disguise its origin.
A senior officer explained that such hasty, circuitous transfers could be an effort to “isolate the money from the source and disguise the transfers,” effectively giving donation embazzlement a legitimate appearance.
Source: OpIndia
Noor, Abdul Rahim and Abdul Aleem bufferred transactions to conceal Maulana Saad’s involvement
Investigators identified an individuals named “Noor” and “Abdul Rahim” who acted as a money laundering agent for the money embazzlement scheme. Noor wasn’t in direct contact with Maulana Saad but worked through another associate Abdul Alim, who handled Jamaat accounts and currency exchange. They serve as a front to conceal Maulana Saad’s direct involvement.
Investigators also found a person named Rafatullah Shahid who was in contact with Maulana Saad’s sons/relatives and was involved in investing their wealth.
ED traced money transactions to Mufti Rizvi, the Grand Mufti of Sri Lanka
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) traced international transactions linked to Mufti Rizvi of Sri Lanka, who was is currently the Grand Mufti of Sri Lanka.
A Canada-based associate Aslam (who runs multiple businesses in Canada) was flagged as a significant source of funds for Markaz activities in India.
Another person, Wasim, a travel agent, was believed to facilitate visas and might have helped move cash for the Markaz. Investigators suspect many transactions between Wasim and Saad were done in cash to evade detection in the formal banking system.
Source: OpIndia
“Mursaleen” helped Maulana Saad invest wealth overseas
There were indications that Maulana Saad has made some investments abroad to generate further revenue. An aide named Mursaleen was identified as handling various business ventures overseas for this purpose.
A person called Haroon, a Russian passport-holder connected with Saad’s family, who along with two peopple named Inam and Mushtaq facilitated travel and financial links with people from Central Asia.
Source: OpIndia
Summary: Maulana Saad has an extensive financial network
All these findings painted a picture of an extensive and complex financial network around Maulana Saad. Maulana Saad had accumulated vast wealth (embazzled) through Markaz activities. This wealth was being moved through intricate channels – including family-run accounts, foreign donors, and money laundering to obfuscate its trail.
In summary, enforcement agencies believed that substantial sums (domestic and international) were donated into Jamaat accounts but were rapidly redistributed to personal accounts via money laundering practices
ED raids Maulana Saad’s luxury house
In April 2020, the ED together with the police conducted multiple raids in locations like Delhi and Mumbai to gather evidence.
During these raids, pictures of Maulana Saad’s luxury house surfaced and went all over the media
Maulana Saad was revealed to own a large farmhouse in the Shamli District of Delhi. The house is spread over the size of 15 football fields (15 acres, 24 bighas). According to the media, the farmhouse is equipped with plush interiors, CCTVs, electric fences, dogs, swimming pools, luxury cars, exotic animals, and exotic birds. The media also showed the electricity bills were being paid under his son’s name, Maulana Yusuf bin Saad.
Source: ED raids, House 1, House 2, House 3, House 4
For more info, see: Maulana Saad’s Luxury House
2025 Update: Criminal Proceedings Against Maulana Saad have Mysteriously Stop!
Despite all these thing that happen:
- Multiple investigations were done on Maulana Saad
- A filed money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- 956 people were charged by the Delhi Police,
Despite all the above, Maulana Saad has not been arrested, nor has a charge sheet been filed against him. As of 2025, no court proceedings have been initiated. The case is in a legal limbo. Many are raising questions why such a serious case has been stalled.
Source: Hindustan Times
No Charges Filed After Five Years: An Unusual Legal Delay!
Although the Delhi Police filed an FIR in March 2020 and later escalated charges to culpable homicide, no progress has been made in formally prosecuting Maulana Saad. Reports indicate that while statements were recorded and some properties were searched, investigators have not submitted a charge sheet or a closure report in court. This is highly irregular in a case of this magnitude.
Source: Hindustan Times
956 Charges were filed but not a single charge on Maulana Saad, not was he even named in the charges!
From 2021-2022, the Delhi Police had filed dozens of charge sheets against a total 956 people who attended the Markaz. Ironically, Maulana Saad was not named in any of those charge sheets!
Multiple officers confirmed that no charges had been pressed against Saad to date, even as proceedings against others concluded.
This is EXTREMELY unusual.
Source: Hindustan Times
Delhi Police Offer No Explanation: A Highly Uncommon Silence
When questioned, the Delhi Police have avoided giving a direct answer as to why the case has not moved forward. An officer from the crime branch admitted that decisions regarding prosecution were “awaiting instructions from the top”. This indicate possible political or backdoor influence over the case. Such response is not typical for an investigation of this scale.
The decision to charge him or file a closure report will be taken by the top”
Delhi Police
Source: Hindustan Times
Travel Restrictions Were Never Imposed: A Strange Exception
Despite being under investigation for money laundering and financial fraud, Maulana Saad was never placed under a travel ban. While authorities initially seized the passports of his close associates, there was no formal restriction preventing him from leaving the country. Unlike other high-profile cases where accused individuals were placed on a watchlist or required to seek permission before international travel, Maulana Saad faced no such travel restrictions, allowing him to move freely. This is a highly unusual.
Court Rulings Allowed the Markaz to Reopen: A Rare Legal Reversal
In late 2022, the Delhi High Court ruled that the Nizamuddin Markaz premises, which had been sealed after the 2020 gathering, should be returned to Maulana Saad’s organization. The court found no legal reason to continue holding the premises under government control. This was a major win for Maulana Saad, as it restored his authority over the Markaz headquarters. Many questions were raised as to why the government allowed it.
Source: Economic Times, Knowledia
Supreme Court Rejected Calls for a CBI Probe: A Surprising Decision
In response to public outcry and petitions calling for an independent inquiry, the Supreme Court declined to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, assured the court that the case was “at an advanced stage,” despite no visible legal progress. This decision meant that the case remained in the hands of the Delhi Police, who have since taken no action. This outcome defies typical legal protocol.
Source: India Today
Was there a backdoor deal or Political Interference?
Observers and legal experts have speculated on the reasons behind the case’s stagnation. Some argue that investigators have failed to gather sufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges, while others suspect political interference may have shielded Maulana Saad from prosecution. The lack of transparency from authorities has fueled suspicions that backroom deals may have been struck to ensure the case quietly disappears.
Current Status: Maulana Saad is a Free Man Despite Serious Allegations
As of 2025, Maulana Saad remains a free man, with no ongoing trial or legal restrictions. His organization continues to operate as usual, and he has resumed his leadership role in their activities. While the case against him technically remains open, the absence of any legal proceedings suggests that the investigation has effectively been abandoned. This is a rare occurrence in such a high profile case.
Conclusion: An Investigation Without an End, raising even more Questions
The combination of missing legal action, lack of transparency, and absence of official explanations raises many questions. Without further intervention from courts or investigative agencies, it appears that the case against Maulana Saad has been queitly stopped. The Delhi Police say they are “waiting for the Top”. This is extraordinary rare from a legal perspective for a case of this magnitude.
