The Enforcement Directorate has registered an FIR against Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan regarding suspected financial misconduct (File photo)
An income tax department valuation report dated November 10, 2023, estimated the cost of buildings on the campus at Rs 494.46 crore, while the trust’s income-tax returns from FY 2013-14 to FY 2024-25 disclosed capital expenditure of only Rs 78.32 crore, leaving an alleged unexplained gap of Rs 416.14 crore, according to the agency.
The agency cited the statement of Pawan Kumar Jain, managing director of Ceekay Associates Pvt Ltd, who allegedly told investigators that his company secured government contracts worth around Rs 186 crore between 2013-14 and 2016-17 and diverted 30-40% of contract value towards university construction. Based on the lower estimate, the ED calculated diversion of at least Rs 55.8 crore. Government-linked funds and resources worth Rs 85.81 crore were used on the campus through these routes, according to the agency. Earlier reporting noted: According to available police records, 112 cases have been registered against Khan. Judgments have been delivered in at least 16 cases, resulting in his conviction in eight.
Earlier reporting noted: Singh said such actions were bringing disrepute to institutions established to serve a public purpose. The ED claimed contractors, largely based in Rampur, secured government contracts through Azam Khan’s influence when he was a cabinet minister in Uttar Pradesh and diverted construction material purchased for public works to the university campus. The probe has also brought donations under scrutiny. The ED alleged that contractors who benefited from government contracts routed part of their gains to the trust.
Earlier reporting noted: ED complaint leads to fresh FIR against SP leader Azam Khan The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has got a fresh FIR registered against jailed Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Azam Khan following its findings of alleged financial irregularities at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, including the suspected diversion of government funds for its construction.