Azam Khan arrested by ED in money laundering case hours after release from jail

Lucknow/Rampur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday arrested Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan in a money laundering case shortly after he walked out of Rampur jail on bail in an alleged PAN card fraud case, officials said.

The 78-year-old politician was taken into custody by ED officials from the Lucknow zone as he emerged from the jail in Uttar Pradesh. He will be produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ghaziabad on Sunday, where the agency is expected to seek his remand for custodial interrogation.

Speaking to reporters outside Rampur district jail, where he had been lodged since November 2025, Khan said, "Kehne ko kya hai (there is nothing to say)... the mistake is that a Muslim made a university and school for students." He also raised his hand to greet supporters gathered outside the prison.

Khan and his son, Abdullah Azam Khan, secured relief from the Allahabad High Court on Thursday after it suspended their sentences in a case involving the alleged possession of two Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards. The court also granted them bail.

A large contingent of central paramilitary forces and Uttar Pradesh Police personnel was deployed alongside the ED team during the arrest. Supporters of the SP leader were heard raising slogans in his favour.

The ED registered a money laundering case against Khan and others under the PMLA, taking cognisance of 58 FIRs filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police against him and his alleged associates.

Earlier this week, the agency attached the land and buildings of Khan's Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur under the anti-money laundering law. The properties have an estimated current market value of Rs 1,170 crore, according to the ED.

The agency alleged that government funds allocated for public works were diverted towards the construction of the private university. It accused Khan of misusing his position as the state's Cabinet minister for Urban Development and his influence over the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam to facilitate the alleged irregularities.

In July, the Rampur Development Authority (RDA) ordered the demolition of 38 buildings on the university campus. The university subsequently challenged the order through an appeal.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav recently met Khan in jail and accused the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government of pursuing political vendetta against his former Cabinet colleague. He alleged that false cases had been filed against the SP leader.

The ED had conducted searches in connection with the money laundering case in August and also questioned Khan as part of its investigation.

PTI