Former Uttar Pradesh Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan has approached the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, alleging that he was taken into custody shortly after being released from jail in the alleged dual PAN card case.
The plea was mentioned before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, by Advocate Nizam Pasha on Monday. Seeking an urgent hearing, Pasha submitted that Khan had been arrested by the ED barely 40 minutes after securing his release from jail.
The Bench indicated that the matter could be listed during the current week. However, it did not accede to the request for an immediate hearing.
Through the petition, Khan has challenged not only the ED’s arrest but also the November 1 order of the Special Court remanding him to judicial custody. He has sought quashing of both orders and interim relief in the form of release from custody.
The development follows the Allahabad High Court’s October 29 decision granting bail to Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan in the dual PAN card case. The High Court suspended their sentences but did not stay their convictions.
Following their release from Rampur jail, the ED arrested Azam Khan in a separate money laundering investigation connected with the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and the Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust. A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ghaziabad subsequently remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody on November 1.
The ED’s investigation concerns alleged financial irregularities and the acquisition of land for the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur. The agency has alleged that agricultural land belonging to farmers was illegally occupied and that funds meant for public works were diverted towards the construction of the university.
The money laundering investigation stems from multiple FIRs registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police against Khan and others. The agency had conducted searches in connection with the case in August and had also questioned the former minister.
In a significant development preceding his arrest, the ED attached properties belonging to the university, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 1,170 crore, on October 28. The attachment reportedly covered land and buildings associated with the institution.
Khan’s arrest came against the backdrop of his prolonged legal battles in Uttar Pradesh, involving several criminal cases. His son Abdullah Azam Khan has also been implicated in the dual PAN card matter, in which the Allahabad High Court granted both of them bail on October 29.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up Khan’s challenge to the ED arrest and the subsequent judicial custody order during the course of this week.
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