Strong police presence marks Azam Khan’s release as supporters gather despite prohibitory orders.
Azam Khan, a prominent leader of the Samajwadi Party, was released from Sitapur district jail in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after spending 23 months in custody. His release followed the granting of bail in all six cases in which he had been convicted, as confirmed by his lawyer, Jubair Ahmed Khan.
In anticipation of Khan’s release, the Sitapur administration implemented prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. This legislation restricts gatherings of more than four individuals in areas surrounding the jail. Despite these measures, a significant number of Khan’s supporters and fellow party workers assembled to welcome him upon his exit from the facility.
Following his release, Khan made his way back to his hometown, Rampur. This was not his first experience with bail; he had previously been granted bail in 2022. However, circumstances changed when a new case was filed against him in October 2023, prompting him to surrender to a Rampur court. Consequently, he was remanded to Sitapur jail, where he remained until Tuesday’s release.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, Azam Khan has faced numerous legal challenges. He has been charged with various offenses, including land grabbing, cheating, and criminal trespass. According to police records, he is currently implicated in a total of 111 criminal cases. The legal troubles have extended to his family, with both his wife and son also facing multiple charges.
The Samajwadi Party has alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government has falsely implicated Azam Khan in these cases as part of a broader strategy to target him. SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav expressed support for Khan, stating that the bail signifies hope for justice for Khan and his family. Yadav reiterated the party’s commitment to standing by the Azam Khan family and pledged to legally contest the alleged persecution and false accusations against them.
The atmosphere surrounding Khan’s release was closely monitored by law enforcement, which employed drone surveillance to ensure security amidst the gathering of supporters. The situation reflects the ongoing political tensions in the region and highlights the contentious relationship between the Samajwadi Party and the ruling BJP government.
