UP minister defends ED raids on Azam Khan-linked premises, Congress alleges harassment

Uttar Pradesh minister Danish Azad Ansari on Wednesday defended the ED raids on the premises linked to jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan's Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and university, saying that "layers" of corruption behind the institution's establishment were now being exposed.

Congress Uttar Pradesh president Ajay Rai, however, accused the government of harassing Khan, who is lodged in jail.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday raided around 10 premises linked to the Jauhar Trust and university in Rampur and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi's Jamia Nagar as part of a money laundering investigation, officials said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme marking "Ballia Balidan Diwas", Ansari said the ED was carrying out its investigation and action would follow if wrongdoing was established.

"New stories of corruption behind the establishment of Jauhar University are now being uncovered," said the minister of state for Minority Welfare.

He alleged that public money was misused and that land belonging to the poor and the government was illegally occupied for setting up the university.

"When you sow a babul tree, you cannot expect sweet fruits," he added.

Ansari also claimed that Samajwadi Party leaders had illegally occupied Waqf properties.

"Wherever illegal occupation of Waqf properties has been exposed in investigations, the name of an SP leader has emerged as the occupant," he alleged, adding that Waqf properties should be used for the welfare of poor Muslims.

He said the government would ensure that Waqf properties were not misused.

Speaking at the same event, state Congress chief Rai alleged that the government was targeting Khan.

"Azam Khan is being harassed by the government," he charged.

The ED's investigation relates to alleged diversion of government contract funds through private contractors and their subsequent use, including for creating assets of the Lucknow-headquartered Jauhar Trust and university, according to agency officials.

The university was also recently embroiled in a dispute with the authorities after the Rampur Development Authority in July directed it to demolish 38 of its 40 buildings, alleging that they had been constructed without approved building plans under the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973.

The proposed demolition was subsequently stayed by the court of the Moradabad divisional commissioner, which directed that no administrative action be taken until further orders.

The Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties have criticised the ED action against Khan and the university, alleging political vendetta.