ED takes Azam Khan into 4-day custody from Ghaziabad jail; SP raises safety fears
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was taken into the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) custody from Ghaziabad's Dasna jail on Thursday night, after a court granted the agency four days to question him in a money laundering case linked to the Jauhar Trust.
The ED team, accompanied by personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), left the jail with the 78-year-old leader at around 8.30 pm. Khan was seen waving his hand as he came out of the prison before being taken away by the officials.
The agency will question him until November 16, seeking answers about various aspects of the case and information linked to the Jauhar University.SP RAISES CONCERN OVER AZAM KHAN'S SAFETY
Following his transfer from Dasna jail, the Samajwadi Party expressed concern over Khan's whereabouts and safety.
taken by the administration from Ghaziabad's Dasna jail to an unknown location. It is the administration's responsibility to ensure that his health and security are fully taken care of and that no negligence is shown."
The party's statement came as the ED took Khan into custody for questioning in the money laundering case.SUPREME COURT SENT BAIL PLEA TO ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
The latest development comes days after the Supreme Court, on November 5, refused to entertain Khan's plea seeking bail in the fresh money laundering case registered by the ED.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi transferred his petition to the Allahabad High Court and requested its Chief Justice to list the matter before a division bench on November 16. The top court also asked the High Court to pass an interim order on Khan's bail plea on the same day.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Khan, had alleged mala fide action by the ED, arguing that the agency arrested the veteran leader just when he was about to be released from jail.
"They just want me to be inside during the election," Sibal quoted Khan as saying.
Khan was arrested by the ED on October 31, shortly after he and his son, Abdullah Azam Khan, were released from Rampur jail on bail in an alleged dual PAN card case.
On November 1, Khan was produced before a special court in Ghaziabad in connection with the money laundering case linked to the Jauhar Trust, his lawyer had said.
The ED's four-day custody will now allow the agency to question him until November 16, the same day the Allahabad High Court is scheduled to take up his bail plea.- Ends
