Azam Khan, Jauhar Trust Booked in Fresh Case Over Alleged Misuse of Government Funds

A fresh FIR has been registered against jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and others over the alleged misuse of government funds and construction materials for works at Jauhar University in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.

The case was registered on October 13 following investigative information shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) with the Uttar Pradesh Police. The allegations include fraud, criminal conspiracy and corruption. Police will investigate the claims.

The FIR invokes Sections 61, 316(5) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 7, 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ED shared the information under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to the ED, the estimated construction cost of buildings on the Jauhar University campus is approximately Rs 494.46 crore. However, the Trust’s income tax returns reportedly show capital expenditure of Rs 78.32 crore between the financial years 2013-14 and 2024-25.

The agency has flagged a difference of approximately Rs 416.14 crore between the estimated construction cost and the expenditure reflected in the returns.

The ED has alleged that government funds and construction materials intended for public projects were diverted for use on the university campus.

Its complaint refers to construction work involving contractors worth approximately Rs 55.8 crore, government works valued at Rs 23.41 crore and projects linked to MLA and Legislative Council Area Development Funds worth Rs 6.60 crore. The combined value of these works is approximately Rs 85.81 crore.

The agency has also raised questions about the authenticity of certain donations received by the Trust, suspecting that some amounts routed through contractors may have been recorded as donations.

The investigation has examined documents and statements from people connected with the alleged transactions. Police will now investigate the roles of Azam Khan, the Trust, contractors and other individuals in the case.