The 'Magic' of Changur Baba's Girlfriend: How Neetu Used Tricks to Convert People to Islam — A Real-Life 'Kerala Story'

The story of Jamaluddin, aka Changur Baba, the alleged mastermind behind mass conversions in Uttar Pradesh, and his girlfriend Neetu, also known as Nasreen, reads like a movie script. Reminiscent of the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story,’ Neetu’s method of converting innocent, poor women to Islam was strikingly similar. She first attracted vulnerable families with promises of financial aid and medical support, then led them into conversion.

Interestingly, Neetu was not born Muslim. Coming from a Sindhi family, she converted to Islam in November 2015 along with her husband Naveen Rohra, who took the name Jalaluddin. Their daughter Sabiha was also converted. Soon after, Neetu became an active member of Changur Baba’s conversion network, quickly gaining his trust and becoming his close associate.

Neetu’s tactic involved befriending poor Hindu families and offering help with treatment costs and other financial assistance, alongside false claims of Changur Baba’s miraculous powers. Her husband Naveen also played a role by lending money to struggling families and then pressuring them to convert when they could not repay. Threats were reportedly used against those who resisted.

In 2021, Naveen filed an affidavit in the Uttaraula Civil Court stating that he and his family had embraced Islam and acknowledged Changur Baba as their spiritual guide. Investigations revealed that the family, though originally Sindhi, lived openly as Muslims in Balrampur’s Rehra Mafi village. The Uttar Pradesh ATS is examining their multiple visits to the UAE—19 times so far—to uncover further links.

The ATS investigation found that Neetu mainly targeted poor Hindu girls, gaining their trust by listening to their worries and assuring them that Changur Baba could solve their problems. She shared her own conversion story to build credibility. Not only did she convert these girls, but she also influenced their entire families—including husbands and children—into embracing Islam.

Meanwhile, Naveen’s strategy involved lending large sums to families and insisting they convert to Islam if they couldn’t repay, promising relief from their troubles through Changur Baba’s blessings. This dual approach helped them trap many victims into conversion.

In November 2024, the UP ATS registered an FIR against Changur Baba, his sons Mehboob and Naveen, and others involved in the conversion racket. On April 8, Naveen and Mehboob were arrested, but Changur Baba and Neetu went into hiding. A non-bailable warrant was issued for Changur Baba’s arrest with a reward of ₹50,000.

Recently, ATS arrested Changur Baba and Neetu from a hotel in Lucknow. Shortly after, their house in Balrampur was demolished by authorities. On the same day, the Enforcement Directorate filed a money laundering case against Changur Baba and his associates.

This ongoing case highlights the alleged manipulative tactics used to force vulnerable families into conversion, raising serious questions about faith, coercion, and crime in the region.