The Income Tax department conducted raids on the properties of former minister Mo. Azam Khan on Wednesday morning. These raids were carried out to uncover financial irregularities related to Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust. The Income Tax department also conducted raids on the residences and offices of Azam Khan’s associates along with trust members. These raids extended beyond Rampur and reached various locations in Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Sitapur, and Lucknow. It is reported that the Income Tax department has seized several documents related to financial irregularities during these raids.
These raids are expected to continue for two days, causing quite a stir. During the raids, Samajwadi Party’s National President, Akhilesh Yadav, tweeted that as the government weakens, the raids on the opposition will intensify.
From early morning on Wednesday, more than a dozen teams of Income Tax officials arrived at Azam Khan’s residence, his office, and Jauhar University in Rampur. The sudden raid sent shockwaves throughout the area, as officials began scrutinising documents from his home and office. Azam Khan was present at his Rampur residence during the raid. The associates and close aides of Azam Khan, who were present at the scene, also faced the heat of the raid.
Similar raids were carried out at residences linked to Azam Khan in Sitapur, including the residence of Public School Manager Fancy Jaidi and the Chamaraua constituency seat in Rampur district held by MLA Nasir Khan. In addition to Uttar Pradesh, the Income Tax department conducted raids at the residences of Swargiya Chaudhary Munawwar Saleem, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Samajwadi Party, in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Munawwar Saleem is also associated with Azam Khan.
Income Tax raids were not limited to these locations, as they extended to approximately 22 places. Aakash Saxena, a current MLA from Rampur, has accused Azam Khan of embezzling millions of rupees in income tax under the guise of Jauhar Trust. Aakash Saxena had previously filed a complaint with the CBI in 2021, alleging that the donations received by the trust were not properly accounted for, and Azam Khan did not provide any details regarding the funds received. Even those who donated to the trust failed to provide any information about income tax. Aakash Saxena alleges that during Azam Khan’s tenure as a minister, he received donations worth billions but evaded taxes.
Sources suggest that the Income Tax department is gathering documents from Azam Khan and his associates based on these allegations. The department is also summoning property assessors and jewellers to ensure a comprehensive examination of financial records.
This investigation comes approximately six months after the Income Tax department initiated an inquiry into Azam Khan, his wife Tanzeen Fatima, and son Abdullah Azam’s affidavits during the state assembly elections. These affidavits included details of their assets. Sources indicate that the inquiry revealed multiple discrepancies in the documents provided to the Income Tax authorities.