New Delhi: Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan walked out of Sitapur jail on Tuesday after spending nearly two years in custody in connection with multiple criminal cases. His release, which came after securing bail in all pending cases, was marked by jubilant celebrations from his supporters and party workers who had been waiting outside the prison since morning.
Large crowds gathered at the Sitapur district jail to welcome Khan, with his elder son, Adeeb, leading the supporters. Adeeb described his father as “the hero of the day,” adding that it was for Azam Khan himself to address the people after his release.
In anticipation of the heavy turnout, the Sitapur police deployed drones to monitor the situation and ensure security. Elaborate arrangements were made by jail authorities to facilitate a smooth and peaceful release. According to officials, the release process began at around 7 a.m., after which Khan immediately left for Rampur.
Khan’s lawyer, Jubair Ahmed Khan, confirmed that bail had been granted in all the cases lodged against him and that the formal release order had been issued by the district jail. Azam Khan had previously walked out of prison in 2022 but returned to custody in October 2023 after a fresh case was filed against him in Rampur.
Police records show that Khan has faced charges in as many as 111 criminal cases over the years. Out of these, final reports have been filed in seven cases, one case was discharged by the court, and nine were withdrawn by the Samajwadi Party government. While he had been convicted in six cases, he has now secured bail in all. The rest remain under trial.
Meanwhile, his legal team has approached the Supreme Court against three additional charges recently added by Rampur police in connection with a 2020 FIR. The MP/MLA court in Rampur is expected to hear the matter on October 1..
