Azam Khan, six others acquitted in dacoity case

District government counsel, Amit Saxena, said, “The court acquitted Azam Khan and six others on benefit of doubt. A few prosecution witnesses turned hostile.” A total of 14 prosecution witnesses were examined during the court proceedings.

According to defense counsel Nasir Hussain, the case was registered at Ganj police station in 2019 against six persons, including retired police officer Aley Hasan. The charges included dacoity and criminal conspiracy. “The accused were alleged to have forcibly entered the complainant’s house, demolished it, and fled with Rs 15,000. Azam Khan’s name was included in the case during the course of the investigation,” said Hussain.

The Rampur police investigated the case and filed chargesheet against seven persons, including Azam Khan.

Over the past year, Azam Khan has faced convictions in four cases and acquittal in one. Additionally, Azam’s son Abdullah Azam has been convicted in two cases, and Azam’s wife Tanzeen Fatima in one case.

Last month, the Rampur Court acquitted Azam Khan and three others in a 2019 attempt-to-murder case filed at the Ganj police station. The co-accused in this case were Azam’s brother Shareef Khan and Azam’s nephew Bilal Khan.

Since the BJP was voted to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, a total of 81 cases have been registered against the senior Samajwadi Party leader in Rampur. These charges range from land-grabbing to cheating and criminal trespass. In some instances, Azam’s wife Tanzeen Fatima and son Abdullah Azam have been named as co-accused.