Azam Khan gets court relief, but release remains uncertain amid fresh ED action

Millat Times Desk

30 October 2026 (Publish: 01:50 PM IST)

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In a major legal relief for Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday suspended their prison sentences and granted them bail in the dual PAN card case. However, the court refused to stay their convictions, meaning the relief does not overturn the trial court’s verdict.

The order came after the father-son duo challenged their convictions and sentences awarded by a Rampur court. Their release, particularly that of Azam Khan, may still face hurdles because of separate cases being pursued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Department.

Justice Samit Gopal granted bail after taking into account the period already spent by the two in custody. According to their custody records, Azam Khan had spent more than four years in prison, while Abdullah had undergone over three years and six months, including remission.

The case originated from a complaint filed by BJP leader Akash Saxena in December 2019. He alleged that Abdullah Azam possessed two PAN cards carrying different dates of birth – January 1, 1993, and September 30, 1990.

The complaint alleged that the second PAN card was used while filing nomination papers for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from the Swar constituency to meet the minimum age requirement. Azam Khan was accused of conspiring with his son in the matter.

A Rampur court convicted the duo in November 2025. Azam was initially sentenced to seven years, while Abdullah received seven years. Following a subsequent appeal by the state government, Azam’s sentence was enhanced to 10 years in May 2026.

The High Court’s decision comes amid a separate investigation by the ED into alleged financial irregularities linked to Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, established by the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust.

On October 28, the ED provisionally attached land and buildings belonging to the university, estimating their market value at approximately ₹1,170 crore. The agency identified ₹426.46 crore as alleged proceeds of crime, claiming that government funds and construction materials were diverted towards the university. These allegations are part of a separate money-laundering investigation.

According to reports, the ED has registered a separate case, and authorities have sought a remand warrant against Azam Khan. A hearing in the matter is scheduled for Monday. Consequently, despite the High Court’s bail order in the PAN card case, his immediate release is not certain.

The High Court has also refused to suspend the convictions, keeping their legal consequences intact. The criminal revision petitions are scheduled for a final hearing in January 2027.