Samajwadi Party's Azam Khan Sentenced To 10 Years, Fined Rs 14 Lakh In Forced Eviction Case

A special MP MLA court in Rampur sentenced Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan to 10 years in prison. He was also fined Rs 14 lakh for involvement in the Dungarpur Basti demolition, loot, and theft case.

District government advocate Seema Singh Rana confirmed the conviction. "He has been sentenced to 10 years. He also faces a fine of Rs 14 lakh. The case involved a complaint by Abrar, who accused Khan of forcibly entering his house in 2019. The house was demolished using a bulldozer," Rana told ANI.

The second accused, Barkat Ali, received a seven-year jail term and a Rs 6 lakh fine. On Wednesday, the Rampur court had convicted Khan and Ali under several sections, including 392, 452, 504, 506, and 120B.

Background of the Case

The Dungarpur case dates back to when the Samajwadi Party was in power. Houses under the Aasra Awas Yojana were built in Dungarpur near the Rampur Police Line. Some existing houses were demolished in 2016, claiming they were on government land.

When the BJP came to power in 2019, 12 cases were registered in Ganj Kotwali of Rampur. On March 18, Khan was sentenced to seven years in another similar case filed by Jail Road resident Ehtesham. He also received a Rs 5 lakh fine. Former CO City Ale Hasan Khan, former municipal president Azhar Khan, and contractor Barkat Ali were also sentenced to five years each and fined Rs 2 lakh each.

On January 31, 2024, Azam Khan was acquitted in another Dungarpur case filed by Ruby, wife of Karamat Ali. After the hearing, the court acquitted all accused, including Khan.

Multiple Cases Against Azam Khan

A total of 84 cases were registered against Azam Khan in 2019, with most still pending in court. Khan is currently lodged in Sitapur jail, while his son Abdullah Azam is in Hardoi jail. His wife, former MP Dr. Tajin Fatma, is in Rampur jail but has received bail and is expected to be released soon.