ED takes Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan into custody in Rampur
The veteran leader was detained by the Enforcement Directorate moments after his release from jail on bail.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan into custody from outside Rampur district jail on Saturday. According to reports from Hindustan Times, the detention occurred shortly after Khan and his son, Abdullah Azam, were released following an 11-month imprisonment in a dual PAN card case.
The ED team arrived at the jail premises approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled release. An official stated that Khan would be formally arrested and produced before the Ghaziabad PMLA court on Sunday morning.
The agency is investigating alleged financial irregularities involving the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. The New Indian Express reported that the probe involves an alleged unexplained expenditure of Rs 416.14 crore regarding the university's construction.
While being taken away, Khan told reporters that he felt he was being targeted because of his faith. He questioned why establishing a university and schools for children was being treated as a crime.
The detention triggered protests from Samajwadi Party supporters gathered outside the prison. Abdullah Azam was allowed to walk free after completing release formalities.
The legal team for Khan described the ED's actions as unconstitutional. Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal is expected to represent Khan in the Supreme Court.