ED attaches Azam Khan's Jauhar University worth Rs 1,170 crore under PMLA

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached the land and buildings of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The federal probe agency issued a provisional order covering 59 buildings on the campus.

The agency alleged that government funds meant for public works were diverted to construct the private university. It said government-funded public works were executed on the private campus and contractors who received government projects routed money back to the trust as donations.

“The University campus at Jauhar Nagar, Village Singhankhera, Rampur, is held by the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which was founded and is controlled by Mohammad Azam Khan, who is also the honorary Chancellor of the University.”

The properties have an estimated current market value of Rs 1,170 crore, while construction costs were Rs 499 crore. The ED identified Rs 426.46 crore as alleged proceeds of crime.

The university is owned by the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, founded and controlled by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who serves as its honorary chancellor. Khan, aged 78 and currently jailed in Rampur, faces multiple criminal charges.

The ED cited a company managing director whose firm received Public Works Department contracts worth approximately Rs 186 crore. According to the agency, the managing director said 30 to 40 percent of the contract value was used to purchase construction materials for the university.

The agency also alleged another firm operating under Khan's influence donated Rs 40 lakh to the trust. It identified works worth Rs 6.6 crore on the private campus allegedly financed through MLA and MLC local area development funds.

The ED carried out raids in August and questioned Khan. It said it has taken cognisance of 54 FIRs filed by Uttar Pradesh Police to move forward with its money laundering investigation against Khan and his trust.