Senior Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam were convicted and handed prison sentences of up to seven years on Monday. A special MP/MLA court in Rampur found them guilty in a 2019 forgery case related to the procurement of two PAN cards with differing dates of birth. This case highlights the serious implications of forgery in political circles.
The judgment came from Special Magistrate Shobhit Bansal, who assessed both documentary evidence and witness testimonies in reaching the decision. Prosecution officer Rakesh Kumar Maurya confirmed the verdict and indicated the potential for an appeal should the prosecution deem the sentence insufficient.
When asked if Azam Khan and Abdullah would be taken into custody following their conviction, Maurya confirmed, “Yes, absolutely.” The proceedings signal a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for electoral corruption.
The case initially emerged in 2019 after a formal complaint was lodged by BJP leader Akash Saxena at Rampur’s Civil Lines police station. The legal charges included sections from the Indian Penal Code for cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
According to the prosecution, Abdullah Azam received a PAN card from the Income Tax Department listing his birth date as January 1, 1993. This date correlated with his educational records and a State Bank of India account. The court concluded that Abdullah had obtained the forged document “in conspiracy with his father,” thereby committing a serious offense against the law.
The verdict poses severe consequences for the Samajwadi Party as it faces allegations of corruption amid ongoing scrutiny of its leaders. Political analysts see this ruling as a possible turning point in Rampur’s political landscape, where the influence of established leaders may face stern challenges.
This conviction underscores the increasing legal ramifications for public figures engaging in fraudulent activities. As legal experts dissect the case, the broader implications for political accountability and electoral integrity come to light, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement against such offenses.
