In a major legal setback for Samajwadi Party veteran Mohammed Azam Khan, a special MP-MLA court in Rampur on Monday sentenced him and his son, Abdullah Azam, to seven years’ imprisonment in a 2019 case involving the alleged procurement and use of two PAN cards based on different dates of birth. The verdict comes less than two months after the senior leader walked out of the Sitapur jail following nearly two years of incarceration in other cases.

The case marks a significant development in the long list of legal battles facing the 77-year-old politician, who has long been a central figure in Uttar Pradesh politics. The conviction was delivered by Special Magistrate Shobhit Bansal, who found both father and son guilty after reviewing extensive documentary records and witness testimonies presented over years of litigation.

Azam Khan, who appeared calm during the court proceedings, was escorted to the Rampur district jail under heavy security soon after the sentencing. While being taken away, he kept his response brief and stoic, stating, “What is there to say now? It is the court’s decision.” When asked about the seven-year sentence imposed on both him and Abdullah, he added, “It is fine. If they have considered me guilty, they have given the punishment.”

The Case and Its Origins

The case dates back to 2019, when BJP leader Akash Saxena filed an FIR at the Civil Lines police station in Rampur. The allegations centred on the claim that Abdullah Azam possessed two separate PAN cards showing different dates of birth. This discrepancy, investigators argued, was part of a larger conspiracy carried out with the assistance of his father, Azam Khan.

According to the prosecution, Abdullah obtained a PAN card from the Income Tax Department listing his date of birth as January 1, 1993. This date was consistent with his school and high school certificates, as well as with the records of the State Bank of India account he operated. However, authorities alleged that he also held another PAN card based on a separate birth date, which enabled him to present contradictory information depending on the context.

The court determined that Abdullah could not have procured or used the forged documents without the involvement of his father. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting that the dual PAN cards were used in official records, forming the basis of charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code—420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for cheating), 471 (using forged documents), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).

Court’s Findings and Sentencing

The special MP-MLA court delivered a detailed breakdown of the sentence. Under Section 467, which deals with the forgery of valuable security and carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, the magistrate imposed seven years’ imprisonment along with a fine of ₹10,000. This accounted for the most significant portion of the penalty, as the section falls within the magisterial limit allowing for a maximum sentence of seven years.

In addition to the principal charge, the court awarded further sentences under different IPC sections:

• Section 420 (cheating): Three years’ simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000, with an additional three months’ imprisonment in case of non-payment.
• Section 468 (forgery for cheating): Three years’ simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000, with an additional three months on default.
• Section 471 (using forged documents): Two years’ simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000.
• Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy): One year’s simple imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000, with an extra month for non-payment.

These sentences will run concurrently, with the seven-year term under Section 467 forming the effective jail period. Prosecution Officer Rakesh Kumar Maurya, who represented the state along with advocate Swadesh Sharma, noted that the sentence would be adjusted by deducting the days that Azam Khan and his son had already spent in judicial custody in this particular case.

Maurya also indicated that the prosecution might review the judgment further. If deemed necessary, they could consider filing an appeal seeking harsher punishment.

A Long Legal History

The dual PAN card case is one among a staggering 84 cases lodged against Azam Khan over the years, covering a broad spectrum of charges including land grab, graft, criminal intimidation, cheating, and even goat theft. Monday’s verdict marks the fourth conviction in this expanding list, though he has been acquitted in four other cases. Many are still pending, underscoring the prolonged legal battles that have defined much of his recent political life.

Azam Khan’s arrest and repeated incarcerations have been an ongoing political flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh. Supporters of the Samajwadi Party have often claimed that he was being subjected to political vendetta, while his critics argue that the extensive charges reflect a long pattern of abuse of power.

Before his release from the Sitapur jail on September 23, Azam Khan had spent 23 months in judicial custody linked to multiple cases. Earlier, he had been imprisoned for 27 months in another round of legal proceedings. The fresh conviction thus places him back behind bars, resuming a cycle of incarceration that has repeatedly interrupted his political career.

Immediate Aftermath and Political Reactions

Following the verdict, security was tightened around the court complex in Rampur, where a sizeable gathering of supporters had arrived anticipating the outcome. Law enforcement ensured that the transfer to the district jail proceeded without incident. Abdullah Azam too was taken into custody promptly, following the court’s directives.

The Samajwadi Party has yet to release an official statement regarding the verdict, but party insiders suggest that a strong response criticizing the government and the legal process may follow. Meanwhile, BJP leaders in the region have hailed the conviction as evidence of accountability, asserting that no individual, regardless of political stature, is above the law.

What Lies Ahead

The conviction deepens uncertainty over the political future of both Azam Khan and his son. Abdullah Azam, once considered a rising figure in UP politics, has already faced disqualification as an MLA in the past due to issues surrounding his birth records. A fresh prison term further complicates his public standing.

For Azam Khan, one of the most prominent Muslim leaders in the state and a founding member of the Samajwadi Party, the verdict intensifies concerns about his ability to continue active politics. The multiple ongoing cases mean that even if he secures bail in one matter, others may keep him embroiled in prolonged legal battles.

As the judicial process continues, both father and son will have the option of appealing the verdict in higher courts. However, the immediate implication is clear: Azam Khan, after a brief period of freedom, is back in jail, adding another dramatic chapter to his long and contentious political journey.