Azam Khan: A team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached Rampur jail on Tuesday morning to interrogate SP leader Azam Khan. He is being interrogated in his barrack. This inquiry is being conducted in connection with the investigation into allegations of fraud in Jauhar University and Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust. Four ED officers reached Rampur District Jail in a car from Lucknow at 9:10 am. After making entry in the jail register, he went straight to Azam’s barrack. They are questioning him about the donations worth crores of rupees received by Jauhar University and the Trust and the funds spent on construction projects.
Earlier, the investigating agency has interrogated many people associated with Azam Khan about the interconnectedness of financial transactions and funds. These included his Chartered Accountant (CA) Deepak Goyal, Vice Chancellor of Johar University, Prof. Zaheeruddin, SP MLA Naseer Ahmed Khan and contractor Salim are included. The agency is trying to find out from where the trust got funds worth crores of rupees and how it was transferred to the university. During the investigation, documents related to transactions between companies, firms, contractors and trusts are also being examined.
SP MLA interrogated in October
On October 6, the ED interrogated SP MLA from Chamraua assembly constituency of Rampur Naseer Ahmed Khan for seven hours. Naseer has been the Joint Secretary of Johar Trust. ED had called the SP MLA to Lucknow for questioning. During the interrogation, questions were asked about the decisions taken within the trust, donations and his role in the construction of Johar University.
Raids were conducted at 10 places in August
On August 19, ED raided Johar Trust, University and 10 places linked to Azam Khan in Rampur, Saharanpur and Delhi. Documents related to financial transactions, donations and construction work were examined. After this, the agency took the investigation forward by interrogating the people involved in the case.
When was Johar University established?
Jauhar University was started by Azam Khan. It is named after freedom fighter Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar. He led many movements against the British Raj and was the President of both Muslim League and Congress. In 2005, when Samajwadi Party (SP) was in power in Uttar Pradesh, Azam Khan was the Urban Development Minister. During that time, Rampur Development Authority was formed on April 15, 2005. Initially, the authority’s jurisdiction included 23 villages along with Rampur Municipal Corporation.
On September 18, 2006, Azam laid the foundation of Jauhar University in Singankheda village. At that time, Singankheda village did not come under the authority’s jurisdiction. In July 2004, the authority expanded its limits to include 39 surrounding villages.
Singankheda village was also included in this. The whole controversy started from here. After the withdrawal of the SP government, the authority inspected the university buildings. It was revealed that out of 40 buildings, only the plans of the medical college and administrative buildings were approved. The maps of the remaining 38 buildings were not approved. On the basis of this, a notice was sent to the university. The authority ordered that these 38 buildings be demolished by July 30, otherwise the administration will start the demolition process. However, the matter is now in court.