LUCKNOW, July 21 -- The UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested Rajesh Kumar Upadhyaya, a clerk in the Balrampur chief judicial magistrate (CJM) court, on Saturday for connivance with the alleged kingpin in the Balrampur illegal religious conversion racket, Jalaluddin Shah alias Chhangur Baba, confirmed additional director general (ADG), Law and Order, Amitabh Yash on Sunday. Upadhyaya is the first accused whose name was not mentioned in the accused column in the FIR lodged by the ATS on November 16, 2024. Seven other accused arrested so far were named in the November FIR. They include Chhangur Baba, his son Mehboob, his close associate Neetu Naveen Rohra alias Nasreen and her husband Naveen Rohra's alias Jamaluddin and Sabroz alias Imran and Shahbuddin. The court clerk was among the people who played a major role in putting pressure on gullible people for religious conversion as well as for grabbing their properties or purchasing them at throwaway prices, senior officials said. He exerted pressure by getting orders from courts using his links under Section 156(3) of the CrPC through police stations, the officials added. Upadhyay's wife Sangita is a partner in Chhangur Baba's property/business with a profit-sharing clause, the officials said. Although the clerk initially denied involvement, both he and his wife have been named as accused in the ongoing investigation. The ATS will continue to investigate the case, focusing on uncovering the full extent of Chhangur Baba's network and its connections. The authorities may take action against properties linked to the accused, including seizing and confiscating assets acquired through alleged illegal activities....