Azam Khan, Jauhar Trust booked in fresh FIR over ₹416 crore fund misuse
Synopsis
A fresh FIR targeting jailed SP leader Azam Khan and the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust reveals a staggering ₹416 crore gap between the university's actual construction cost and what the Trust declared in its income tax returns — with the ED alleging government funds and materials were diverted to the campus.
Key Takeaways
A fresh FIR was registered on 13 October against Azam Khan , the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust , and others.
The ED flagged a discrepancy of approximately ₹416.14 crore between the university's construction cost ( ₹494.46 crore ) and the Trust's declared capital expenditure ( ₹78.32 crore ).
The FIR invokes sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act .
Alleged government works and area development fund diversions total approximately ₹85.81 crore .
The ED also suspects certain donations were routed via contractors to disguise their origin.
Uttar Pradesh Police will now independently investigate the ED's allegations.
A fresh FIR has been registered against jailed Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan, the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, and others over the alleged misuse of government funds and construction materials at Jauhar University in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. The case was registered on 13 October, acting on investigative inputs forwarded by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Uttar Pradesh Police.
What the FIR Alleges
The complaint charges fraud, criminal conspiracy, and corruption under Sections 61, 316(5), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Sections 7, 13(1)(d), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ED shared its investigative findings with state police under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ₹416 Crore Discrepancy
According to the ED, the estimated cost of construction on the Jauhar University campus stands at approximately ₹494.46 crore. However, the Trust's own income tax returns reflect a total capital expenditure of only ₹78.32 crore between financial years 2013-14 and 2024-25 — a gap of roughly ₹416.14 crore that the agency says it cannot account for through legitimate sources.
The ED's complaint further itemises construction contracts worth approximately ₹55.8 crore, government works worth ₹23.41 crore, and works linked to MLA and Legislative Council Area Development Funds worth ₹6.60 crore — a combined figure of approximately ₹85.81 crore allegedly funnelled into the university campus from public resources.
Suspicious Donations and Contractor-Linked Transfers
The ED has also raised doubts over the authenticity of certain donations received by the Trust. Investigators suspect that some funds were routed through contractors and then presented as charitable donations in the Trust's accounts, according to officials. Statements from relevant individuals and documentary evidence reportedly form the basis of these findings.
Scope of the Probe and What Comes Next
Officials confirmed that the roles of Azam Khan, the Trust, associated contractors, and other individuals will be probed. This is the latest in a string of legal challenges for the veteran politician, who is already incarcerated in connection with separate cases. The fresh FIR widens the legal exposure for those associated with the Trust and the university project. Further details, including the identities of other named accused, are awaited as the investigation progresses.
Point of View
Including MLA and Legislative Council area funds, were allegedly redirected to a private university campus. That is a direct charge against the use of taxpayer money for institutional benefit, and it implicates a wider network of contractors and possibly elected representatives beyond Azam Khan alone. The Uttar Pradesh Police now inherits a case built on ED inputs, raising the question of whether the two agencies will coordinate or compete in establishing the evidentiary trail.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fresh FIR against Azam Khan about?
A fresh FIR registered on 13 October alleges that government funds and construction materials were misused for works at Jauhar University in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. The case was filed on the basis of investigative inputs from the Enforcement Directorate and charges Azam Khan, the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, and others with fraud, criminal conspiracy, and corruption.
What is the ₹416 crore discrepancy the ED has flagged?
The ED estimates the actual construction cost on the Jauhar University campus at approximately ₹494.46 crore, while the Trust's income tax returns declare only ₹78.32 crore in capital expenditure between 2013-14 and 2024-25 — a gap of roughly ₹416.14 crore that investigators say cannot be explained by legitimate funding sources.
Which laws have been invoked in the FIR?
The FIR invokes Sections 61, 316(5), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 7, 13(1)(d), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ED shared its findings with UP Police under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
What role did government development funds allegedly play?
According to the ED's complaint, works linked to MLA and Legislative Council Area Development Funds worth approximately ₹6.60 crore were allegedly used on the university campus. Government works worth ₹23.41 crore and contractor-executed works worth ₹55.8 crore are also cited, bringing the total alleged diversion to around ₹85.81 crore.
What happens next in the investigation?
Uttar Pradesh Police will now probe the ED's allegations independently. The roles of Azam Khan, the Trust, and associated contractors are under scrutiny. Azam Khan is already in judicial custody in connection with separate cases, and this FIR adds a fresh layer of legal exposure for him and others named in the complaint.
