Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan released from Sitapur jail after nearly two years

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was released from Sitapur Jail on Tuesday, September 23, after spending almost two years in jail.

Khan came out of jail after getting bail in all the cases registered against him, news agency ANI reported.

The Allahabad High Court on September 18 granted bail to the SP chief in the Quality Bar land encroachment case in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district.

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A bench of Justice Samir Jain passed the order after hearing arguments from different parties involved in the case.

The case stems from a first information report (FIR) filed in 2019 against Azam Khan’s wife Tazeen Fatma, his son and former MP Abdullah Azam and Syed Jafar Ali Jafri. The FIR was lodged by revenue inspector Angraj Singh and accused them of seizing the bar, according to news agency PTI.

Azam Khan was not named in the FIR then, but later the case was re-investigated after five years and he was named as an accused in this case.

In another development, Khan was acquitted by a special MP-MLA court last week in a 17-year-old case related to a road blockade and damage to public property, according to PTI.

Khan allegedly created ruckus and caused unrest near the Chhajlet police station in 2008 after the police removed the horn from his car.

Khan and his supporters had blocked the road and caused a traffic jam. The demonstrations reportedly turned violent and some electricity poles were damaged. This led to the registration of a case against him.

Patta patta, boota boota haal humara jaane hai, said Azam Khan

Responding to a question about his experience in jail after his release, Azam Khan referred to a Ghazal saying, “Patta patta boota boota haal hamara jaane hai” and thanked everyone who supported him.

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“I will get treatment, work on my health and then think about what to do,” he added.

On speculation that he would join the BSP, Khan said, “This can only be explained by those who are speculating. I have not met anyone in jail. I was not allowed to make a phone call. So, I have been completely out of touch for the last 5 years.”

“All charges against Azam will be withdrawn if…”

SP leader and MP Akhilesh Yadav welcomed the court’s decision and Azam’s release. “SP chief Azam Khan has been released from jail. I would like to thank the Court for this. We, the Samajwadis, believed that the Court would do justice. We hope that in the times to come no false complaint will be filed and no injustice will be done by the BJP; an officer has been granted extension after extension. It is a joy for the Samajwadis that he has been released,” Yadav told reporters, according to ANI.

“Azam Khan and Samajwadis have played a major role against the BJP for a long time now. We hope that in the coming time, all his affairs will be over. The way the CM withdrew the complaints against him and the vice CM as well as the BJP leaders, after the SP forms the government, all the false accusations against Azam Khan will be withdrawn,” he added.

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SP MP Shivpal Singh Yadav said the government had accused Khan of false cases “but the court had granted him relief. So we welcome the court’s decision. The SP is extending all assistance to him.”

He denied speculation that Khan would join BSP. “All this information is false,” he said.

Reinforced security, gatherings prohibited

Anticipating a huge crowd gathering in support of Khan, before his release on September 23, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Sitapur to prevent any such violence or incidents.

Police have also used drones for surveillance amid heightened security.

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A large number of Khan’s supporters traveled near the prison in their vehicles, causing traffic jams. Following this, the Sitapur traffic police issued challans to several vehicles which had gathered in violation of the restrictions.

“There was chaos and rush despite the implementation of Section 163. Vehicles were not allowed to approach the jail, but they somehow managed to reach there. Steps had to be taken to avoid further complications,” Municipal Circle Officer Vinayak Bhosle was quoted as saying by PTI.