Arrested by ED immediately upon release: Azam Khan remanded to 14 days of judicial custody at Dasna Jail, says "Being punished for being a Muslim."
Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former minister Azam Khan was produced by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) before a special PMLA court in Ghaziabad, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody at Dasna Jail. Khan had been released from Rampur Jail late last night after securing bail in a PAN card fraud case. However, within 15 minutes of stepping out of prison, the ED arrested him in connection with an ongoing money laundering case linked to Jauhar University in Rampur.
Azam Khan's Reaction
When asked for a comment by media personnel during his arrest, a crestfallen Azam Khan remarked, "What is left to say now? Law no longer exists; I am being punished for being a Muslim. Our mistake was that a Muslim established a university, and by doing so, we committed a crime. We built schools for children—is that our crime?"
Akhilesh Yadav Criticizes the Move
SP President Akhilesh Yadav strongly opposed the arrest, accusing the BJP government of carrying out a politically motivated vendetta. He pointed out that the ED had already attached properties worth crores belonging to Jauhar University and questioned the agency's actions, asking why it was functioning as a tool of the ruling party.
Allegations by Defense Counsel
Defense lawyer Nasir Sultan stated that Azam Khan was picked up immediately upon exiting the prison gate without prior notice or explanation.
He noted that neither family members nor legal representatives were initially informed of where Khan was being taken or by whom, calling the action proof of the government's "authoritarian posture."
Sultan added that the legal team had secured Khan's bail after three days of extensive effort. He alleged that political opponents fearing defeat in the upcoming 2027 state elections were behind the move.
ED's Position
The Enforcement Directorate maintains that its investigation uncovered significant financial irregularities, including the alleged misappropriation of public funds, government contract revenues, and construction materials during the establishment of Jauhar University.
