Lucknow. Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former minister Azam Khan’s son Abdullah Azam was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for nearly six hours on Wednesday. The ED asked him a series of questions regarding the money raised and transacted in the name of Jauhar University. Details of sources of income and assets have also been sought from Abdullah. On Thursday also, the ED has called Abdullah to his office for questioning again.
The ED had registered a case against SP MLA Azam Khan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on August 1, 2019, in the Jauhar University case of Rampur. In the same case, the ED had issued notices to Azam Khan’s son Abdullah Azam and wife Tazin Fatma and called them for questioning at the zonal office in the capital before July 15. The ED will interrogate Abdullah and Tazeen separately, so it has directed both of them to come separately.
As soon as the notice was received, Abdullah Azam reached the Lucknow office of the ED on Wednesday itself. Abdullah was questioned in detail by ED officials from around 11 am to 5 pm during the day. During this, the officers raised many questions regarding fund raising and money transferred in the name of Jauhar University.
Abdullah, who came out after questioning on Wednesday, refused to say anything. He simply said that whatever was asked, every question has been answered. The ED has directed Abdullah to come again on Thursday with details of bank accounts and details of assets.
The ED had earlier questioned Azam Khan for two days in September 2021 even during his stay in Sitapur Jail. After this, the ED team went to Rampur and investigated the allegations of financial irregularities. Along with the Johar Trust, the ED had also searched all the bank accounts of Azam and his relatives. Only after this the ED has called Azam’s wife and son for questioning.