Lucknow: The Income Tax Department has made a series of serious observations against the Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar Trust in its 147-page investigation report while cancelling the Trust’s registration under the Income Tax Act. The report alleges financial, administrative and governance irregularities, including unaccounted construction expenditure, alleged misuse of government funds, unauthorised construction, questionable donations and concentration of control within the founder’s family.
₹494 Crore Construction Cost Questioned
According to the department, the university campus comprises 59 buildings with an estimated construction cost of ₹494.46 crore. Investigators have alleged that this expenditure does not match the figures reflected in the Trust’s financial records. The department is examining the source of funds used for the construction and whether all related transactions were properly disclosed.
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The report further alleges that most of the university buildings were constructed without the required statutory approvals. According to the findings, only two of the 59 buildings had building plans approved by the District Panchayat, while the remaining 57 structures were allegedly constructed without the necessary permissions. The report also refers to observations by the Fire Department regarding alleged violations of fire safety norms within the campus.
Family Control Under Lens
The Income Tax Department has also questioned the governance structure of the Trust. According to the report, five of the nine trustees belong to the family of former Uttar Pradesh minister Mohammad Azam Khan, while the remaining trustees allegedly played only a nominal role in the Trust’s functioning. During the investigation, one trustee reportedly stated that he had served merely as a “dummy trustee” and was asked only to sign documents without participating in decision-making. The report alleges that the Trust’s affairs were effectively managed by Azam Khan and his family members.
Investigators have also raised allegations regarding the diversion of government funds for construction activities. According to statements cited in the report, certain government contractors allegedly admitted that 30–40 per cent of funds received under government contracts were utilised for the construction of the university. The report further alleges that private construction firms were awarded government contracts and that funds amounting to nearly ₹86 crore were subsequently diverted towards the Trust’s infrastructure without proper accounting. These allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Donations Being Verified
The report also alleges that portions of the university campus and Trust property were used for political activities. According to statements recorded during the investigation, part of the premises was allegedly used as an office of the Samajwadi Party without any rent being charged, resulting in financial loss to the Trust. Investigators have further alleged that a mosque was constructed on land earmarked for educational purposes, which, according to the report, amounted to a violation of the applicable conditions.
Another major issue highlighted in the investigation concerns donations received by the Trust. The department has claimed that several individuals and entities shown as donors could not be traced during verification. These include Pyramid Construction & Suppliers, Salar Overseas Limited, AR Educational Trust, Earth Infratech, Remigate Infra Developers, Royal Emporia Infra Tech, Faiza Parveen, Mohammad Haseeb, Robot Vinimay Private Limited, Wonder Suppliers Private Limited and Dream of Pearl Reality & Services Private Limited. Investigators are examining the authenticity of these donations and the identities of the alleged contributors.
Legal Proceedings Continue
The university currently comprises 44 academic blocks, of which 24 are reportedly under construction, while five buildings have already been sealed. The legal proceedings arising out of the Income Tax Department’s findings and other ongoing investigations are continuing. The allegations contained in the investigation report remain subject to adjudication, and the concerned parties retain the legal right to present their defence before the appropriate authorities and courts.
