In a major setback for Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam, both have been sentenced to seven years in prison. The verdict was delivered by a Special MP-MLA Magistrate Court in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, in a case pertaining to the alleged possession and use of dual PAN Cards. The legal proceedings were initiated by a complaint from Bharatiya Janata Party leader Akash Saxena in late 2019. The core of the accusation is that Azam Khan and Abdullah Azam illicitly obtained two PAN Cards, each with different birth dates, through fraudulent means. Saxena’s complaint alleged these forged documents were then used for banking and income tax purposes.
The conviction comes as Azam Khan continues to navigate numerous legal troubles, having been implicated in more than 100 cases. He was released on bail in September, concluding a nearly 23-month period of detention in Rampur jail. Notably, he was recently acquitted in a case where he was accused of misusing his official government seal and letterhead to issue defamatory statements against the BJP and the RSS. The court in that instance found the evidence insufficient to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Since his release, Azam Khan has indicated a strong desire to re-engage with the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh. He recently met with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, highlighting their long-standing personal connection. Khan has also been outspoken about the state’s governance, criticizing the BJP administration for what he describes as a complete breakdown of law and order, suggesting that true legal principles have been abandoned in favor of arbitrary authority.