New Delhi:
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 10 locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh today as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, associated with former Uttar Pradesh minister and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan.
The agency conducted searches at 10 locations across Rampur, Saharanpur, and Delhi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act or PMLA.
Officials said the investigation is linked to the alleged illegal acquisition of land for the university and the alleged misappropriation of government funds. Allegations regarding the diversion of government funds for the construction of university buildings are also being investigated.
Probe Into Alleged Diversion of Government Funds
The investigation, which follows 26 First Information Reports registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police, is connected to the alleged diversion of government contract funds through private contractors and their subsequent use for various purposes, including the creation of assets linked to the trust and the university. The FIRs contain allegations such as extortion, fraud, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
According to the ED, its probe has revealed financial transactions between certain private contractors and the trust.
The agency suspects that contractors who secured government contracts diverted funds towards the trust and the university. These transactions allegedly included sizeable donations and payments related to construction work.
ED Traces Money Trail
Searches were conducted to trace the alleged proceeds of crime and establish the flow of funds between the contractors and entities linked to the trust and university.
The ED is also examining financial records, documents and digital evidence that could shed light on the alleged diversion and utilisation of government funds.
During the searches, the ED seized several crucial documents, records, and digital materials. According to the agency, these include records related to alleged bogus donations received by the trust.
The ED said it is attempting to uncover the entire money laundering network and the financial transactions involved by examining these documents and digital records.
