ED Freezes Assets Worth ₹426.46 Crore of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur

ED Takes Action Against Mohammad Ali Jauhar University

In a significant move, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has temporarily seized the land and buildings of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University located in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, as part of a money laundering investigation. The agency reported that the attached properties have a book value of ₹426.46 crore, while their current market value is estimated at around ₹1,170 crore. This action is linked to an investigation into financial irregularities involving the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, its prominent leader and former minister Azam Khan, and other associates.

The ED's investigation stems from 26 FIRs filed at the Ajeem Nagar police station, which allege the forcible acquisition of agricultural land from local farmers for university use. Additionally, the district administration's inquiry revealed that approximately 34 acres of enemy property in Singhankheda village was illegally occupied, which was later reclaimed by the enemy property custodian. Evidence has also surfaced indicating that in 2016, several houses were forcibly demolished, and funds amounting to ₹23.41 crore allocated for public development were misappropriated for the infrastructure of this private university.

According to the valuation report, the total construction cost of the university campus was estimated at ₹499.09 crore, comprising 59 large buildings and 114 plots. However, the trust reported only ₹78.32 crore as expenditure in its income tax records. Following a thorough investigation, the ED concluded that only ₹72.63 crore of the total cost could be validated as legitimate, while the remaining ₹426.46 crore is considered proceeds of crime. Consequently, the agency has frozen assets equivalent to this substantial amount. Notably, during a comprehensive raid on August 19, 2026, several digital devices and crucial documents were also confiscated.