In a major relief for incarcerated Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan, a special MP-MLA court has acquitted him in a 17-year-old case related to road blockade and damage to public property. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, his counsel confirmed on Wednesday.
The case dated back to 2008, when Khan allegedly created a disturbance near the Chhajlet police station in Rampur after police officials removed the hooter from his vehicle. According to the prosecution, Khan and his supporters blocked the road, causing a traffic jam. The protest reportedly turned violent, during which electric poles were damaged. Following the incident, police registered a case against Khan, filed a charge sheet, and the matter proceeded to trial.
During the trial, Khan’s defence counsel Shahnawaz Sibtain Naqvi argued that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the allegations.
“We produced seven witnesses in favour of Azam Khan while the prosecution presented only one witness, which led to the acquittal,” Naqvi told reporters.
Despite multiple summons and court orders over the years, Khan allegedly avoided appearing before the court and delayed surrender. The trial, however, concluded recently with the court ruling in his favour.
After hearing arguments from both sides and reviewing the evidence on record, the MP-MLA court acquitted Khan of all charges related to rioting, road blockade, and damage to public property.
