New Delhi/Ghaziabad. Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan expressed his pain while being taken into the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case related to Jauhar University. Talking to journalists, he said that educating children became his crime. A Muslim man built universities and schools, built a temple of education, perhaps this was a mistake.
This statement of Azam Khan has come at a time when ED is investigating the construction of Johar University and the alleged financial transactions related to it. The agency has obtained four days' custodial remand from him for questioning.
'Committed the crime of teaching children'
While talking to the media in ED custody, Azam Khan said that he built universities and schools to educate children. He said sarcastically that a Muslim built a temple of education, this was a mistake. His statement is being seen in the context of the ongoing legal action regarding Jauhar University.
ED inquiry on four days remand
Ghaziabad's special court has given four-day custody remand of Azam Khan to ED in the money laundering case related to Jauhar University. The agency will interrogate him till November 16. On the evening of 12 November, the ED team reached Dasna jail and took him into their custody. After this he was informed about taking him to Delhi for questioning.
Azam Khan was arrested by ED on October 31 as soon as he came out of Rampur jail. After this he was sent to Dasna jail in judicial custody.
Action on properties of Jauhar University also
On October 28, ED had temporarily attached the land and buildings of Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar University, Rampur. The agency has pegged the value of assets acquired from the alleged crime at Rs 426.46 crore, while the estimated market value of these assets has been estimated at around Rs 1,170 crore.
The investigating agency alleges that money and construction material earmarked for government works were used in the construction of the university. Apart from this, Johar Trust is also being investigated for receiving funds from some companies that have received government contracts. According to ED, a huge difference has been found between the construction cost and the legitimate expenses declared by the Trust.
Investigation into farmers' use of land and government money
The investigation into money laundering was started on the basis of several FIRs lodged in Rampur regarding Jauhar University. These include allegations like allegedly forcibly taking the land of farmers and using government resources. ED claims that some constructions took place in the university campus in which government money was invested.
However, all these allegations are part of the investigation and are yet to be proven in court.
Akhilesh Yadav expressed concern about security
After the news of Azam Khan being taken into ED custody from Dasna jail, SP President Akhilesh Yadav expressed concern about his safety and health. He appealed to the administration to take full care of Azam Khan's health and safety and there should be no negligence.
Amidst the ongoing investigation regarding Johar University and the remand of Azam Khan, his statement has become a topic of discussion in political and social circles.