Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Mohammad Azam Khan was released from Sitapur jail on Tuesday after spending 23 months behind bars in connection with multiple criminal cases.
Hundreds of party workers and supporters waited outside the jail to welcome Mr. Khan, 77, whose release was delayed by at least two hours due to pending formalities in some of his old cases with the bond fine still unpaid in at least two other cases. Once the bond was completed and sent to the jail administration after the court opened, Mr. Khan was released and left immediately for Rampur with a convoy of over a dozen vehicles.
Ahead of the SP leader’s release, the Sitapur administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the areas around the jail to prevent any untoward incidents. Announcements made through loudspeakers warned people against assembling near the jail premises.
‘Will withdraw cases when SP comes to power’
Mr. Khan was granted bail on September 18 by the Allahabad High Court in the last remaining case in which the leader was yet to get relief. Over the last seven years, dozens of First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against him, covering a wide range of criminal cases.
Welcoming Mr. Khan’s release, the Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav said that cases against the leader would be withdrawn when the party comes to power. “The release of Azam Khan Saheb is a matter of relief and joy for him, the family, and all of us who believe in justice. Our heartfelt thanks to the court for upholding our faith in justice,” he said.
“Today, even those filing false cases have learned that every lie has a statute of limitations, as does every conspiracy. The BJP never approves of those who symbolise social harmony. Azam Khan Saheb will once again stand with every neglected, marginalised, oppressed and insulted person raising his voice against the oppression of the people by the BJP and their allies. He will become a symbol of the emotional unity of the country and the state, will continue to move forward on the path of struggle for social justice with socialist values and principles,” Mr. Yadav added.
‘Not in touch with anyone’
Amid buzz about Mr. Khan joining the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati, Mr. Yadav described the former Minister as the main face of the SP in the fight against the BJP. “Azam Saheb has played the biggest role in our fight against the BJP from the time of SP founder Neta ji as well with us,” said Mr. Yadav.
Asked about any future tie-up with the BSP, Mr. Khan himself told reporters: “I will get treatment, I want to live, I was not in touch with anyone in jail.”
The SP alleged that Mr. Khan, a ten-time former MLA has been framed by the U.P. government in false cases, claiming that the bail was a signal that the senior leader would ultimately get justice. “Injustice was being done continuously to Mohammad Azam Khan Saheb and his family. The bail highlights that the family will ultimately get justice. Our party solidly stands behind the Azam Khan family. We will legally fight the BJP against the persecution and false cases,” said Shivpal Singh Yadav, a senior SP leader.
