Samajwadi Party Leader Azam Khan Walks Out Of Jail After Nearly 2 Years; 'Thanks Those Who Prayed For Him'

Azam Khan was released on bail from Sitapur jail. (File)

Sitapur/Lucknow:

Samajwadi Party founding member Azam Khan was granted bail and released from Sitapur jail on Tuesday after almost two years of incarceration, with party president Akhilesh Yadav declaring that the veteran politician has "finally received justice".

Following his release, Khan, a former Uttar Pradesh minister, expressed gratitude to "everyone who prayed for me," while the Samajwadi Party leader promised to dismiss all "fabricated cases" against the senior politician if his party returns to power in the state.

"I am thankful to all those who kept me in their prayers," Khan told journalists in Bareilly while traveling to his hometown of Rampur.

When questioned if he believed justice had been served, the 77-year-old former MP responded, "I cannot make that claim." He also refuted rumors about potentially joining the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

"You should direct that question to those spreading such rumors," he replied when asked about reports suggesting he might switch political allegiances.

He arrived at his Jail Road residence in Rampur during the evening after 23 months away. A substantial crowd of supporters had gathered to welcome him. The throng was so large that he struggled to reach his doorway.

Khan acknowledged his supporters, and when he stood beside his car door, people began chanting 'Inquilab Zindabad'.

Upon reaching Rampur district's border, Khan's convoy encountered police barricades. Authorities only permitted his vehicle and his son's to proceed, stating that the remaining vehicles would be allowed through later.

Celebrating the court's decision, the SP president noted that Khan is not merely a founder of the Samajwadi Party but has also been instrumental in India's socialist movement.

"Today brings immense joy... he has finally received justice," Yadav told reporters in Lucknow.

The former chief minister alleged that "hundreds of fabricated cases" had been filed against Khan and promised that once SP regains power in UP, "all false cases against Azam Khan and others will be withdrawn".

"Journalists who have been targeted with fabricated charges will also find relief," he added.

Without naming specific individuals, Yadav claimed that the BJP government dismissed cases against its own leaders after assuming power.

"Just as they withdrew their own cases, we will do the same for those falsely implicated," he stated, expressing gratitude to the courts for granting Khan bail.

Meanwhile, SP national general secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav dismissed reports about Khan joining the BSP as mere "rumors".

"There is absolutely no possibility of Azam Khan sahab joining any other party. He has been and will remain with the Samajwadi Party. The SP and its leadership have consistently supported Khan sahab and will continue doing so," Shivpal told PTI from Jhansi, adding that he would meet Khan soon.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya stated that even if Khan defected to the BSP, it would not affect the BJP's prospects in the 2027 assembly elections.

"Whether Khan remains with the SP or joins the BSP, both parties are certain to face defeat in 2027," he posted on X.

Responding to Khan's bail, BJP's Rampur MLA Akash Saxena, who has filed numerous cases against the SP leader, insisted that his campaign against injustice would persist.

"We have always held the judiciary in highest regard. Regardless of whether Azam Khan sahab stays with SP or aligns with BSP, our fight against injustice will continue unabated," he told PTI.

Khan's family has been among the most influential in western Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district for over three decades.

Confronting multiple legal challenges over the years, Khan's release came shortly after the Allahabad High Court granted him bail in the Quality Bar land encroachment case in Rampur district last week.

The case involved allegations of illegal occupation of bar premises, with Khan's name added during reinvestigation nearly five years after the initial FIR was registered.

Dressed in his characteristic white kurta-pyjama and black waistcoat with tinted sunglasses, the once-powerful Khan departed the jail in a private vehicle on Tuesday afternoon after 23 months of imprisonment.

He did not address journalists outside the jail where numerous party workers and supporters had assembled since morning awaiting his release.

Khan's sons, Adeeb and Abdullah, were present, along with several senior leaders, including national secretary and former MLA Anup Gupta, Moradabad MP Ruchi Vira, and district president Chatrapati Yadav.

"Azam Khan is today's hero. I am here with all his supporters to welcome him. Whatever statements need to be made, my father will make after leaving jail," Adeeb told reporters earlier that day.

Vira declared that the party would celebrate "the triumph of justice".

"We maintained faith in the judiciary and will continue to do so. No other politician has endured harassment to the extent he has," she stated.

The district administration had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent potential incidents. Despite these restrictions, supporters managed to gather near the jail in large numbers, causing traffic congestion. Several vehicles received citations for violating restrictions.

"There was disorder and crowding despite Section 163 being in effect. Vehicles were prohibited from approaching the jail, but somehow managed to reach there. Action was necessary to prevent further complications," City Circle Officer Vinayak Bhosle explained.