Supreme Court Seeks Uttar Pradesh Government's Response on Azam Khan Family's Birth Certificate Case Pleas

The Supreme Court has requested the Uttar Pradesh government's response to pleas from Tazeen Fatma and Abdullah Azam Khan regarding their conviction in a forged birth certificate case. The court's decision could significantly impact their political future.

The Supreme Court has requested a response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding petitions by Tazeen Fatma and her son, Abdullah Azam Khan. They seek to suspend their conviction in a case involving an allegedly forged birth certificate. The court, led by Chief Justice B R Gavai, questioned their lawyer, Nizam Pasha, about the possibility of staying the conviction, noting that such actions are rare.

Fatma and Abdullah Azam Khan have approached the Supreme Court following the Allahabad High Court's decision. The high court had suspended their sentence but refused to stay their conviction. This decision sustains their disqualification under Section 83 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The petitioners argue that this refusal severely impacts their political careers and social reputation.

Allegations and Legal Proceedings

The case originated from an FIR lodged at Rampur's Ganj police station on December 17, 2018. BJP leader Akash Saxena accused Azam Khan and his wife of obtaining two birth certificates for their son. The first certificate, dated June 28, 2012, was issued by Rampur Municipal Corporation, while the second one, dated January 21, 2015, came from Lucknow Municipal Corporation.

The chargesheet was filed in April 2019 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471. A supplementary chargesheet under Section 120-B IPC was added in August 2021. Subsequently, charges were framed by the trial court against Fatma, Azam Khan, and Abdullah Azam.

Impact on Political Careers

The high court's refusal to stay the conviction prevents Fatma from participating in elections or holding positions of trust. Their plea describes the high court's reasoning as flawed and unsustainable. It argues that there was no evidence to prove forgery of the birth certificate dated January 21, 2015.

The trial court in Rampur convicted Fatma, Azam Khan, and Abdullah Azam in October 2023 under various IPC provisions. While appeals are ongoing, the high court's decision continues to affect their political prospects significantly.

The plea highlights that the high court acknowledged a lack of evidence showing any accused forged the birth certificate. Despite this acknowledgment, the refusal to suspend their conviction remains a significant barrier for Fatma and her son.

The Supreme Court's involvement brings hope for a reconsideration of their case. However, it remains uncertain how this legal battle will unfold for Tazeen Fatma and Abdullah Azam Khan as they await further developments.

With inputs from PTI