Azam Khan's name put on UP govt's online list of land mafias; SP protests

Rampur (UP): Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan's name has been put on an online list of land mafias by the district administration here following FIRs registered against him, drawing strong protest from his party which raised the issue in UP Legislative Council alleging that he is being framed in "fake" cases.

The state BJP government dismissed the SP's allegations, asserting it is treating everyone the same and the action is not driven by any political vendetta.

"The name of the Rampur MP has been put on the list of anti land mafia portal of the state government on Thursday after FIRs were lodged against him on land-grabbing charges," Additional District Magistrate (Administration) JP Gupta told PTI.

"The listing was done by SDM Sadar," he said.

The former Uttar Pradesh minister was named in the FIRs lodged in connection with alleged forcible acquisition of land for Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, of which he is the founder and Chancellor.

District Magistrate A K Singh said that the "farmers had claimed that Azam Khan had acquired their land for Jauhar University through coercion".

"The name of those who have acquired someone's land with alleged criminal acts and continue to have possession over it are included in the list on the portal," the DM pointed out.

The Samajwadi Party, however, alleged that the move was a conspiracy by the Rampur District Magistrate to defame Khan and the university.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav has constituted a 21-member committee, led by leader of opposition in the Legislative Council Ahmad Hasan, to "probe" "fake cases" lodged against Khan in Rampur.

Proceedings in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council were disrupted on Friday as Samajwadi Party members protested the registration of cases against Khan, terming them as "fake".

As soon as the House assembled at 11.00 am, Leader of the Opposition Ahmad Hasan raised the issue.

He said, "Nearly a dozen cases have been registered against senior SP leader

Azam Khan. The most painful thing is that he has taken land for building a university and not for any personal gains. In which direction is the government going? Azam Khan is a land mafia?"