Rampur police in Uttar Pradesh have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and his educational trust, based on a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The complaint alleges the diversion of crores in government funds for the construction of his university and associated financial irregularities.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the FIR was lodged on Tuesday in Rampur. It names Azam Khan, the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauauhar Trust, two private entities, and other individuals. The charges brought by the Uttar Pradesh police include criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and cheating, alongside various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
This development marks another legal challenge for Azam Khan, who is already facing numerous other legal cases. Over 25 FIRs have reportedly been registered against him and his associates previously. The Enforcement Directorate is understood to be consolidating all existing FIRs related to Azam Khan and those connected to him for a comprehensive action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The fresh FIR stems from an email sent by the ED’s Lucknow zonal office to the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh on October 10. Acting under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, the ED shared evidence and information gathered against the Samajwadi Party politician, requesting the registration of a new FIR.
Sources indicate that this latest FIR will be added to the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) that the ED had initially filed against Khan and his associates in 2019. The ED had previously conducted raids in connection with this case in August and had also questioned Khan while he was lodged in Rampur jail on Tuesday.
The Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, headquartered in Lucknow, lists Azam Khan, a former Uttar Pradesh minister, as its primary trustee, along with several family members and associates. The trust is responsible for running the Muhammad Ali Jauhar University, which was founded in 2006, and a public school, both located in the Rampur district.
According to the ED’s communication to the police, which is also incorporated into the latest FIR, the alleged actions by Azam Khan, the trust, contractors, and other individuals involved include obtaining government contracts through official influence. The agency further alleges the diversion of funds originally allocated for public works towards the university. Additionally, the ED claims that works executed using public funds were carried out on the private premises of the university, with the funds subsequently routed back to the Trust, constituting an offence under the PMLA.
The central agency presented an Income Tax Department valuation report dated November 2023. This report indicated that the construction cost of buildings on the university campus amounted to Rs 494.46 crore. However, the Trust’s Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the financial years 2013-14 to 2024-25 reportedly show a total capital expenditure of only Rs 78.32 crore. The ED alleges that construction work valued at approximately Rs 416.14 crore remains unexplained by the Trust’s declared income and expenditure.
Azam Khan has been a prominent figure in Uttar Pradesh politics, serving multiple terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and a minister. His political career has been marked by significant achievements as well as numerous legal battles. The Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, a project close to his heart, has also been a subject of scrutiny in various investigations.
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) aims to combat money laundering and related offences by attaching and confiscating the proceeds of crime. The Enforcement Directorate is the primary agency responsible for enforcing the PMLA. The registration of an FIR is the first step in a criminal investigation, allowing law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and take further action.
The filing of this fresh FIR underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by Azam Khan and his associated entities. The investigation by the Enforcement Directorate is expected to delve deeper into the financial transactions and alleged irregularities related to the university and the trust. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the Samajwadi Party leader and the institutions he is associated with.
The Chenab Times News Desk