New Delhi, 19 August (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at 10 locations across Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in connection with a money laundering investigation involving the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.

The ED's Lucknow Zonal Office carried out the searches in Rampur and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and in Delhi under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to the agency, the investigation relates to the alleged diversion of funds received through government contracts via private contractors and the subsequent use of those funds in assets and construction-related activities associated with the trust and the university.

The ED said its investigation had revealed financial transactions between certain private contractors and the Jauhar Trust. The agency is examining transactions that allegedly include substantial donations and payments linked to construction work, with a focus on establishing the source, movement and ultimate utilisation of the funds.

ED teams are examining financial records, documents, banking transactions and digital evidence as part of the searches. The premises of the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust and the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Johar Nagar, Rampur, were among the locations covered by the operation.

In Rampur, searches were also conducted at M/s A & S Enterprises on Shaukat Ali Road, opposite Ilahi Masjid, in the Civil Lines police station area. Another search was carried out at the premises of M/s CK Associates Private Limited at Jwala Palace in Peepal Tola.

The residence of the company's director, Pawan Kumar Jain, in Gangapur Awas Vikas, Civil Lines, Rampur, was also searched. An additional search was conducted at premises linked to Shaheen Khan in the Bagh Chhota area on Jail Road, Rampur.

In Saharanpur, the agency searched the office of chartered accountant Deepak Gupta at Silva Market, opposite the fire station on Ambala Road, as well as his residence in Green Park Colony on Delhi Road.

In Delhi, premises linked to Syed Khalid of M/s Johar Associates in Jasola, Jamia Nagar, were also brought under the scope of the searches.

The ED said the primary objective of the operation was to trace the proceeds allegedly generated through the suspected offence and establish the route through which funds from government contracts were purportedly transferred to private entities. The agency is also examining how the funds were subsequently allegedly channelled into activities and assets associated with the trust and the university.

The searches are part of the agency's ongoing investigation into the alleged financial transactions and are aimed at collecting documentary, financial and digital evidence relevant to the case.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar