Vindictive Politics: SP Hits BJP Over ED Searches Linked To Azam Khan

The Samajwadi Party on Wednesday accused the BJP of pursuing “vindictive politics” after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at several locations linked to jailed SP leader Azam Khan in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The party alleged that the raids were aimed at targeting political opponents, while the ED said the searches were part of a money laundering investigation.

ED searches 10 locations

The Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at 10 locations across Rampur, Saharanpur and Delhi in connection with a case involving Azam Khan. The searches included the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and its trust and were conducted under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Officials said the operation was focused on tracing alleged proceeds of crime as well as collecting digital evidence, documents and financial records linked to the alleged diversion and use of government funds.

SP alleges political vendetta

SP spokesperson Ashutosh Verma accused the BJP of using investigative agencies to target leaders associated with previous governments.

Verma alleged that the BJP had “nothing of its own to offer” and was therefore pursuing political vendetta against people associated with earlier governments.

He also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over its handling of schemes introduced during Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister. Verma alleged that existing SP projects were being renamed and that the government was targeting Azam Khan in Rampur.

Akhilesh Yadav attacks BJP

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also accused the BJP of targeting people who build educational institutions while ignoring alleged corruption elsewhere. He claimed the ED raids were aimed at appeasing the BJP’s remaining “1-2 per cent” “communal, narrow-minded” supporters. Yadav questioned the government over alleged irregularities linked to the Ram Temple donation case, codeine scandal, Maha Kumbh, Smart City projects and alleged corruption involving police officials, as well as illegal construction by BJP representatives.

Yadav also alleged that Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure had deteriorated, citing the Bundelkhand, Purvanchal and Kanpur-Lucknow expressways, damaged roads and bridges, water tanks, station walls and cracks in the green corridor. He also referred to an alleged ₹7,000-crore distribution and claimed publicity was being used to divert attention from the issue. His remarks came after the ED searches in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi linked to Azam Khan, Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and its trust.

Congress also questions ED action

The Uttar Pradesh Congress also criticised the searches, alleging that the ED action was intended to target and weaken Azam Khan.

UP Congress president Ajay Rai said, “It is done to target and weaken Azam Khan.”

Azam Khan is currently serving a sentence in Rampur Jail along with his son, Abdullah Azam.

Jauhar University dispute

The ED searches come amid an ongoing dispute over Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur.

The Rampur Development Authority had flagged alleged violations at the university and claimed that 38 of its 40 buildings had been constructed without the required approvals. The authority had asked the university to remove the structures within a stipulated period, warning that the district administration could otherwise take action.

The proposed demolition of 38 buildings triggered a political controversy, with the Samajwadi Party opposing the action.

In late July, the Uttar Pradesh government’s Divisional Commissioner stayed the demolition order issued by the Rampur District Magistrate, leaving the immediate future of the disputed university buildings uncertain.

The ED investigation and the wider dispute over Jauhar University have since become another flashpoint between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government.