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Azam Khan set to be lodged at Dasna District Jail following the PMLA court's order. (Img: X)
Ghaziabad: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Azam Khan has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ghaziabad on Sunday, in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the construction of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur.
Following the court's order, Khan will be lodged at Dasna District Jail in Ghaziabad rather than being taken back to Rampur prison, from where he had walked out just a day earlier.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced Khan before Special Judge Avanish Kumar Pandey of the Anti-Corruption CBI Court in Ghaziabad at around 10.30 am amid heavy security arrangements. A convoy of five vehicles brought him to the court, accompanied by personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Uttar Pradesh Police.
When mediapersons asked Khan whether he wished to make a statement upon his arrival, he responded, "Ab kya reh gaya hai bolne ko" (What is left to say now?). The court passed its order after hearing the matter for approximately 90 minutes. ED counsel Kuldeep Srivastava represented the agency during the proceedings.
Khan's judicial remand comes barely 24 hours after the ED took him into custody shortly after his release from Rampur District Jail on Saturday evening. The veteran SP leader and his son, Abdullah Azam, had been released after the Allahabad High Court, on October 29, suspended their sentences in the dual PAN card case and granted them bail. The two had spent nearly 11 months in prison.
However, Khan's release was short-lived. An ED team reached Rampur jail and took him into custody in connection with a separate money laundering investigation. Abdullah was allowed to leave the prison premises.
Following his arrest, Khan was brought to the ED headquarters in Delhi for questioning. During the course of interrogation, he reportedly complained of chest and abdominal pain, following which he was taken to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for a medical examination. After receiving medical clearance, he was brought back to the agency's office for further questioning.
The ED investigation concerns alleged financial irregularities in the establishment and construction of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, founded by Azam Khan.
The agency is examining allegations that public funds earmarked for government infrastructure and other public welfare works were diverted towards the development of the educational institution.
According to the investigation, the agency is also scrutinising the source of funds utilised for the university's construction and the financial transactions associated with the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which operates the institution.
The ED had recently taken attachment action against land and buildings associated with the university as part of its money laundering investigation. The properties have been reported to have a substantial market valuation.
Khan was reportedly questioned about the alleged financial discrepancies and the utilisation of government resources in the university's construction.
The ED's decision to arrest Khan immediately after his release from prison triggered sharp political reactions in Uttar Pradesh.
Samajwadi Party leaders criticised the agency's action, alleging that the central investigative machinery was being used to target political opponents. Senior party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav questioned the circumstances surrounding Khan's arrest and urged people to raise their voices against what he described as oppressive governance.
On the other hand, BJP leaders defended the ED's action, maintaining that investigative agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities and that the law applies equally to everyone.
Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister A K Sharma said that no individual, irrespective of political standing or position, could claim exemption from the law. Khan's fresh custody marks another setback for the veteran politician, whose legal battles have kept him behind bars for a considerable period. His latest arrest in the money laundering investigation has also brought the allegations surrounding the Jauhar University project back into focus.
