ED attaches ₹1170 crore university property in money-laundering case

This is a press release from the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Lucknow Zonal Office, announcing the arrest of Mohammad Azam Khan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and the provisional attachment of university property worth approximately Rs. 1170 crore. It matters to citizens as it details a major enforcement action involving allegations of land acquisition through coercion and diversion of public funds.

Who it concerns: Mohammad Azam Khan (founder of Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and Chancellor of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, Rampur), the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), the Special PMLA Court, Ghaziabad, UP Police, and farmers of village Singankhera, Rampur.

What the ED says it did

• Mohammad Azam Khan was arrested on 31.10.2026 under PMLA, 2002.
• He was sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the Hon’ble Special PMLA Court, Ghaziabad.
• ED initiated its investigation based on 26 FIRs registered by UP Police in July 2019 alleging forcible occupation of agricultural land for the University through assault, unlawful confinement, and threats.
• ED found that funds and material meant for public works were diverted to the University, government works were executed on its private campus, and contractor funds were routed back to the Trust as donations.
• A FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988 was registered on 13.10.2026 on ED’s information.
• ED provisionally attached land and buildings of the University held by the Trust to the extent of Rs. 426.46 crore on 28.10.2026.
• The present value of the attached property is stated to be around Rs. 1170 crore.
• Searches were conducted in August 2026, during which incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized.

Also in the document

• The ED investigation also took up 28 other FIRs registered at Rampur for robbery, extortion, cheating, and forgery.
• The original police complaints (26 FIRs) were registered under sections 323, 342, 384, 447, 504, and 506 of the IPC, 1860.