Azam Khan sent to 14-day judicial custody hours after release from jail

Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a special court in Ghaziabad on Sunday, a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him shortly after his release from Rampur jail.

The special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court ordered that Khan be lodged in Dasna District Jail in Ghaziabad in connection with a money laundering investigation involving Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. The court also directed jail authorities to ensure that he received appropriate medical treatment.

Khan had walked out of Rampur jail on Saturday evening after the Allahabad High Court suspended his sentence in a case involving two PAN cards. However, his release was short-lived as ED officials took him into custody in connection with a separate investigation.

𝗘𝗗 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁

The ED produced Khan before the special PMLA court around 10.30 am on Sunday amid tight security. A convoy of five agency vehicles arrived at the court complex, accompanied by personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force and Uttar Pradesh Police.

The agency sought 14 days of judicial custody, which the court granted. Following the order, Khan was transferred to Dasna jail.

As Khan arrived at the court premises, journalists asked whether he wished to comment on his arrest. He replied, "Ab kya reh gaya hai bolne ko" (What is left to say now?).

The ED had taken him into custody on Saturday evening and brought him to Delhi for questioning before producing him in court the following morning.

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆

The investigation relates to alleged financial irregularities involving the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, founded by Khan in Rampur.

The ED has alleged that government funds meant for public infrastructure and welfare projects were diverted towards the construction of the private educational institution.

On October 28, the agency provisionally attached land and buildings associated with the university, valued at approximately Rs 1,170 crore at current market prices, as part of its investigation.

The money laundering case dates back to 2019. The agency has been examining the university's funding, financial transactions and alleged misuse of public resources.

The allegations remain under investigation.

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

Khan and his son Abdullah Azam were released from Rampur jail on Saturday after the Allahabad High Court suspended their sentences in the dual PAN card case on October 29.

The father and son had been convicted in connection with allegations that Abdullah obtained and used two separate PAN cards. Khan's sentence had subsequently been enhanced to 10 years, while Abdullah's seven-year sentence was retained.

Although the High Court suspended their sentences and granted bail, it did not set aside their convictions.

The relief had paved the way for their release after nearly 11 months in custody. While Abdullah was able to leave prison, Khan was arrested again by the ED before he could return home.

𝗦𝗣 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮

The Samajwadi Party criticised Khan's fresh arrest, alleging that central investigative agencies were being used to target political opponents.

SP spokesperson Abbas Haider accused the BJP-led government of attempting to keep Khan behind bars through successive cases. He described the ED's action as politically motivated and questioned the timing of the arrest.

Khan's legal team has also challenged the circumstances of his detention and indicated that it would pursue legal remedies.

The development comes ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with Khan remaining an influential political figure in Rampur and the state's Samajwadi Party organisation.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav had visited Khan at Rampur jail on October 22, days before the High Court granted relief in the PAN card case.

With Sunday's remand order, Khan will remain in judicial custody as the ED continues its investigation into the alleged financial irregularities involving the university.