Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to meet senior party leader Azam Khan at Rampur District Jail on October 22, 2026. Around 45 minutes have been allotted for the meeting, which is being viewed as politically significant. The visit comes days after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused Akhilesh of neglecting Azam Khan during a rally in Rampur. Recently, Azam Khan’s wife also met Akhilesh in Lucknow, adding to speculation about the party leadership’s next steps.
Fresh FIR Adds to Azam Khan’s Legal Troubles
Azam Khan is facing another legal challenge after Rampur police registered a fresh FIR based on a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case names Azam Khan, the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, two private entities and other individuals. The allegations concern the suspected misuse of government funds and financial irregularities linked to the construction of Jauhar University. The FIR was registered on October 13 under provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
ED Flags a ₹416 Crore Expenditure Gap
The ED has raised questions about the difference between the reported construction cost of Jauhar University and the capital expenditure declared by the trust. According to the agency, an Income Tax Department assessment report from November 2023 valued the university campus buildings at ₹494.46 crore. However, the trust’s income tax returns for the financial years 2013–14 to 2024–25 reportedly showed total capital expenditure of ₹78.32 crore. The difference amounts to approximately ₹416.14 crore. The agency has flagged the discrepancy as a possible financial irregularity, but the allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been established in court.
Allegations of Government Fund Misuse
In a letter to Uttar Pradesh Police, the ED alleged that government influence may have been used to secure contracts and that funds allocated for public construction projects were allegedly diverted towards university buildings. The agency suspects that money may subsequently have reached the trust. On October 10, the ED reportedly wrote to the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, sharing information and requesting registration of a fresh FIR. The matter may also involve possible offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
New FIR May Be Linked to the 2019 ED Case
According to sources cited in the report, the new FIR registered in Rampur may be linked to an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered by the ED in 2019. The agency may examine the information from multiple cases involving Azam Khan and people associated with him as part of its further proceedings under the PMLA. The ED also conducted searches in August and questioned Azam Khan inside Rampur District Jail. The latest case adds another layer to the ongoing investigation into the trust’s finances and university construction.
Jauhar Trust and Its Educational Institutions
Azam Khan is the chief trustee of the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which operates Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and a private school in Rampur district. The trust is headquartered in Lucknow, and the university was established in 2006. Family members and associates of Azam Khan are also connected with the trust. Reports have previously mentioned more than 25 police FIRs against Azam Khan and people associated with him. Against this backdrop, Akhilesh Yadav’s planned jail meeting is attracting political attention as the legal proceedings continue.
