Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was released from Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur jail on Tuesday. He walked out of the jail after nearly 23 months. Although his release was initially scheduled for 9 am on Tuesday, a legal hurdle delayed the process. Jail sources revealed that despite being granted bail, his release was stopped this morning as he had not paid a fine imposed by the court. Azam Khan's son, Adeeb Azam Khan, along with a large crowd of supporters, had reached the jail gates at 9 am to receive him. But the police officials did not allow them to wait outside the prison. However, Khan has now been freed.
What legal obstacle came up at 9 am?
During the paperwork for his release this morning, a fresh complication arose as Khan had not paid the fine in a case pending in the Rampur court. He had been fined Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 under two sections in that case, which remained paid. It was then decided that the fine would be deposited once the Rampur court opens at 10 am. As per the information, his release was processed after confirmation of payment was sent via fax to Sitapur Jail.
Section 144 imposed in Sitapur
Ahead of Khan's release, prohibitory orders under Section 144 were enforced in Sitapur city. Police used loudspeakers to warn people against gathering near the jail premises. Despite these restrictions, a large number of SP workers, leaders, and supporters arrived outside the jail which prompted authorities to disperse the crowd. Additionally, several vehicles in the area were also fined. Meanwhile, SP district president Chhatrapal Singh Yadav had made preparations to welcome Khan.
Bail granted by Allahabad High Court
It is to be noted here that Azam Khan had secured bail from the Allahabad High Court on September 18 in the Quality Bar land grab case. The Quality Bar is located in Said Nagar Hardoi Patti on the highway under the Civil Lines police station. The FIR in this matter was registered at Rampur's Civil Lines police station. Following the FIR, Khan approached the High Court which granted him relief. Just a week before, on September 10, the Allahabad High Court had also granted him bail in another case linked to the alleged forced eviction of residents from Rampur's Dungarpur colony.
Acquittal in 17-year-old case
Earlier this year, a special MP-MLA court acquitted Azam Khan in a 17-year-old case related to allegations of road blockade and damage to public property. Over the time, as many as 16 FIRs have been filed against the senior SP leader covering a wide range of criminal charges.
Shivpal Singh Yadav hits out at Yogi govt
SP MLA Shivpal Singh Yadav who had come to receive Azam Khan, attacked the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh while alleging that his colleague and former Lok Sabha MP Azam Khan was "framed" in false cases. Addressing reporters, Yadav welcomed the decision by the courts to grant bail to Azam Khan, who was lodged in Sitapur jail. "Azam Khan was framed by the government in false cases. However, the court has granted him bail and has provided relief to him in cases. I welcome this decision. I welcome the Supreme Court and the High Court. Many false cases were filed against him. The Samajwadi Party stands beside him," Yadav, six-time MLA of Jaswantnagar assembly constituency, said. When asked whether Khan would join the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Yadav dismissed the claims, saying, "These are all lies. Samajwadi Party is with him completely."
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