Rampur, Uttar Pradesh – A court in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh has increased the prison sentence of prominent Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan by three years, extending his jail term from seven to 10 years in a case involving the alleged use of two PAN cards. The court, however, maintained the seven-year sentence for his son, Abdullah Azam Khan.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Additional District and Sessions Judge Vijay Kumar delivered this verdict on Saturday while adjudicating an appeal filed by the prosecution seeking an enhanced punishment. Previously, the MP-MLA magistrate court had sentenced both Azam Khan and his son to seven years of imprisonment and levied a fine of Rs 50,000 on each.
Assistant District Government Counsel Seema Singh Rana informed that the court enhanced the punishment awarded to Azam Khan under various sections of the law and significantly increased the fine imposed upon him to Rs 5 lakh. Abdullah Azam Khan’s seven-year jail term was upheld, but the fine for him was raised to Rs 3.5 lakh.
Rana further stated that the case centrally involved the alleged preparation and use of fake PAN cards, for which both individuals had already been convicted. Appeals filed by the accused against their initial conviction were previously dismissed by the sessions court on April 20. The prosecution subsequently pursued an enhancement of the sentence, leading to the court’s revised judgment on Saturday.
The case stems from allegations of fraudulent use of identification documents for financial or administrative purposes. The legal proceedings have been closely watched, given Azam Khan’s stature in Uttar Pradesh politics and his previous conviction in related matters. The enhancement of his sentence marks a significant development in the legal battle.
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Rampur, Akash Saxena, described the court’s decision as a “historic verdict.” Saxena commented that the prosecution had challenged the original punishment, arguing it was excessively lenient, and expressed satisfaction that the court had considered their plea. He added, “I am fully confident that in the times to come as well, truth alone shall prevail.” Saxena also claimed this to be the first ruling of its kind in India where a previously imposed sentence has been enhanced.
Azam Khan, a long-serving politician and former minister in Uttar Pradesh, has faced multiple legal challenges in recent years, leading to various convictions and sentences that have impacted his political career. The double PAN card case is one of several instances where the court has passed judgment against him and his family members.
The Chenab Times News Desk