SP leader Azam Khan
Lucknow: The Enforcement Directorate has filed an FIR against Samajwadi Party veteran Mohammad Azam Khan , Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, and others over an alleged Rs 416.14-crore unexplained expenditure in the construction of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. The case was registered at Azeem Nagar police station of Rampur district under sections 61 (criminal conspiracy), 316(5) and 318(4) (criminal breach of trust) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and sections 7, 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The FIR names Azam Khan, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, SS&S Enterprises, SS Chik Associates Pvt Ltd and others. The university campus in Signankheda village, under Azeem Nagar police station area, is the principal location mentioned in the case.
An income tax department valuation report dated Nov 10, 2023, estimated the cost of buildings on the premises 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 govt 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. The ED also flagged three projects executed by UP Jal Nigam on the campus, including a grand pandal, an OBC boys’ hostel and a hospital, for which Rs 23.41 crore was sanctioned. Another Rs 6.6 crore was allegedly spent on works on the campus through MLA/MLC constituency development funds. Govt-linked funds and resources worth Rs 85.81 crore were used on the campus through these routes, according to the agency. It cited AS Enterprises, which allegedly secured contracts worth around Rs 25 crore and later donated Rs 40 lakh to the Trust. Investigators are also examining Rs 6.2 crore in donations received from KSD Charitable Trust, Meerut, and City Educational Social Welfare Society between 2013-14 and 2016-17.
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