Breaking News: ED and Income Tax Raids at Azam Khan’s Residences and Associated Locations
Lucknow, 13th September 2023: In a sweeping operation that began at the break of dawn today, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department simultaneously conducted raids at the residence of Samajwadi Party’s national general secretary and former minister, Azam Khan. The investigative teams, which had cordoned off Khan’s residence in Rampur, initiated their inquiries into various aspects of his financial dealings and assets.
This operation is part of a wider investigation that encompasses a total of 30 locations associated with Azam Khan, including Lucknow, Meerut, Rampur, and Ghaziabad. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that raids are underway in his alleged hideouts in Madhya Pradesh. The scope of the investigation appears to be extensive, with no stone left unturned.
In addition to Azam Khan, the Income Tax Department’s team has expanded its reach to the houses of other prominent figures connected to the Samajwadi Party. This includes SP MLA Naseer Khan and former District Cooperative Bank President Salim Qasim, both of whom are reportedly associated with the same trust.
In an unexpected twist, the Income Tax Department also targeted the Regency School located in Sitapur, where employees and local officials appeared to be caught off guard by the sudden raid. Speculation is rife that there may be a connection between the Regency School and the Al Jauhar Trust, given the school’s alleged involvement in designing the trust’s logo.
This investigative sweep comes on the heels of a tumultuous history involving Azam Khan, notably the registration of 30 cases against him in 2019 for alleged land grabbing in relation to Jauhar University. Subsequently, Khan was accused of being involved in land mafia activities, prompting both the Income Tax Department and ED to initiate inquiries into his financial affairs.
The Enforcement Directorate, headquartered in Lucknow, has made several previous visits to Rampur for their investigations, culminating in the raid at Khan’s residence on Wednesday morning. Local authorities have encircled Khan’s house to ensure the smooth operation of the investigative process.
Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Shukla confirmed the presence of the Income Tax team at Azam Khan’s residence and noted their simultaneous efforts at Anwar’s residence, a friend of Khan’s son Abdullah Azam.
City MLA Akash Saxena expressed the sentiment that the investigation was long overdue, given the significant resources invested in Jauhar University. He pointed out that questions regarding the source of these funds had been raised, and now the Income Tax Department’s investigation is aimed at bringing transparency to these financial matters.
The university is administered by the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, of which Azam Khan holds the presidency. As part of the ongoing probe, the Income Tax Department is also scrutinizing the residences of other trust members and associated locations.
The nation is now awaiting further details and developments as the ED and Income Tax Department continue their comprehensive investigations into the financial affairs of Azam Khan and his associates.
