Azam Khan Sent to 14-Day Judicial Custody in Jauhar University Case

A special PMLA court in Ghaziabad sent Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan to 14 days of judicial custody on Sunday, 1 November, a day after the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in a money-laundering case linked to Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. The ED took him into custody on Saturday evening, shortly after he walked out of Rampur district jail in a separate case, according to Free Press Journal and Dynamite News. He will be held at Dasna district jail in Ghaziabad.

What the ED Alleges

The ED alleges financial irregularities in setting up and building the university, which Khan founded, and says public funds meant for government infrastructure and welfare work were diverted to its development. The agency is examining the source of construction money and transactions linked to the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, and has attached land and buildings linked to the university, Dynamite News reported. These are the agency’s allegations; Khan has not been convicted of any offence in this case.

Hearing Lasted About 90 Minutes

Khan was produced before Special Judge Avanish Kumar Pandey at about 10:30 am, and ED counsel Kuldeep Srivastava represented the agency. Before the hearing he reportedly complained of chest and abdominal pain, was examined at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi and was then returned to questioning. Asked if he wanted to say anything, Khan told reporters, “Ab kya reh gaya hai bolne ko” (what is left to say now). Free Press Journal quoted him as saying the rule of law had ceased to exist.

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Judicial Custody Runs Till 13 November

Free Press Journal reported that Khan remains in judicial custody until 13 November. Samajwadi Party workers protested outside the jail, and party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav questioned the circumstances of the arrest and accused the ED of targeting political opponents. UP Energy Minister A K Sharma said no one is exempt from the law.

Source: Based on reporting by Free Press Journal and Dynamite News.

Image: X / Dynamite News.