LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is set to clamp down on the illicit practice of issuing 'Halal certificates' to food and cosmetic products without proper authority.Recognizing the malicious attempt to exploit a specific religious sentiment and potentially incite discord among communities, the chief minister has directed stringent actions against such practices, said a senior home official.There is a suspicion that money obtained illegally under the guise of a halal certificate through the use of forged documents is funding terrorist groups and anti-national activities.According to the filed FIR, entities such as Halal India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra, and others exploited religious sentiments to boost sales by providing Halal certificates to customers of a specific religion.

Illegal businesses are being run for financial gain.

These companies have no authority to give certification to any product.The said companies prepared forged certificates and issued Halal certificates to various companies for financial gain, fostering not only social animosity but also violating public trust.The complainant Shailendra Kumar Sharma, a resident of Lucknow has raised concerns over a potential large-scale conspiracy, indicating attempts to decrease the sales of products from companies lacking the Halal certificate, which is illegal.

There is apprehension that this unfair advantage is being passed on to anti-social/anti-national elements.

Notably, the issuance of Halal certificates for vegetarian products like oil, soap, toothpaste, and honey, where no such certification is necessary, suggests a deliberate criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products.The complainant further alleges that, under the guise of religion, unrestrained propaganda is being disseminated within a particular section of society to discourage the use of products lacking a Halal certificate.

This, in turn, harms the business interests of other communities.

Such a malicious attempt not only seeks unfair financial benefits by issuing Halal certificates for items meant for common citizens but also forms part of a pre-planned strategy to sow class hatred, create divisions in society, and weaken the country.

Many individuals beyond the owners and managers of the implicated companies are believed to be part of this criminal conspiracy, with potential links to anti-national activities.The complainant expresses concern over these individuals amassing disproportionate profits and potentially channeling funds towards supporting terrorist organizations and anti-national endeavors.The case was lodged under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups), 298 (uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.