Azam Khan Arrested by ED Shortly After Release From Rampur Jail; Fresh Case Linked to Jauhar University

RAMPUR/LUCKNOW:The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday detained senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan in a money laundering case, shortly after he walked out of Rampur jail on bail in an alleged PAN card fraud case, along with his son, Abdullah Azam, after spending over 11 months in prison.

 According to sources, a heated argument ensued between ED officials and Khan for some time before the agency took him into custody and drove him away amid sloganeering by his supporters. His son went home.

 Around 15 minutes before Khan's release, an ED team from Lucknow zone had entered the jail premises amid tight security, with 24 CRPF personnel deployed outside the prison.

Background Release: The Allahabad High Court had suspended the 10-year prison sentence imposed on Khan and Abdullah in the PAN card case (2019 complaint by BJP MLA Akash Saxena, two PANs with different DOBs, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy) and granted bail to both on Oct 29, declined to stay conviction. Original Rampur court convicted Nov 2025, sentenced 7 years, enhanced to 10 years by sessions court. Jail authorities received release orders in 50 cases involving Azam, 40 involving Abdullah. Jailed second time Oct 18, 2023 released Sept 23, 2025, third time Nov 17, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026.

Fresh Case: ED registered FIR against Khan, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and others on Oct 14, following prolonged questioning of SP leader in jail on Oct 13 in barrack over alleged unexplained expenditure of Rs 416.14 crore on construction of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. Also based on 26-58 FIRs by UP Police, searches Aug 19 at 10 premises Rampur, Saharanpur, Delhi under PMLA Sec 17. Case registered at Azeemnagar police station under Sections 61 (criminal conspiracy), 316(5) and 318(4) (criminal breach of trust) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sec 7, 13(1)(d), 13(2) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. FIR named Khan, Trust, SS and S Enterprises, SS Chik Associates Pvt Ltd and others.

Money Trail Allegation: ED alleges government funds allocated for public works diverted towards construction of private university. As state Cabinet minister for Urban Development and influence over UP Jal Nigam, Khan facilitated irregularities. Construction cost of 59 buildings assessed Rs 494.46 crore, land via 114 sale deeds. Only Rs 72.63 crore explained via legitimate sources, rest Rs 426.46 crore treated as proceeds of crime. Book value attached Rs 426.46 crore, current market value Rs 1,170 crore per ED Oct 28 provisional attachment. Contractors executing govt projects diverted funds, construction material to Trust, including substantial donations.

Will be produced before special PMLA court in Ghaziabad Sunday, where agency expected to seek remand for custodial interrogation. Political significance ahead of UP Assembly elections early 2027.