LUCKNOW: In a significant setback for the Samajwadi Party, senior leader Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam were on November 17 sentenced to seven years of imprisonment by a Special MP-MLA Magistrate Court in Rampur in connection with a dual PAN Card case. The case, lodged in December 2019 by BJP leader Akash Saxena, accused the two of using forged documents to obtain multiple PAN cards that carried different dates of birth, enabling them to conduct financial transactions and file income tax details under separate identities.
According to the complaint, both Azam Khan and his son had knowingly concealed their correct personal information while generating the additional PAN cards. The court, after examining evidence presented by the prosecution, concluded that the forged documents constituted a serious offence involving impersonation, cheating, and violation of financial regulations.
#WATCH | Rampur, UP | Samajwadi Party's Azam Khan, son Abdullah Azam Khan get 7-year jail term in dual PAN cards case
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan says, "They thought I was a convict, so I was sentenced to jail…" pic.twitter.com/j4HmTq3Ncf
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025
The conviction comes just months after Azam Khan’s release from Rampur jail in September, where he spent nearly 23 months behind bars in connection with a separate matter. Khan, one of the tallest Muslim leaders of Uttar Pradesh, has long faced legal scrutiny, with over 100 cases filed against him on charges ranging from land grabbing and fraud to hate speech.
Recently, he secured relief when a Lucknow court acquitted him in a case related to alleged misuse of official letterheads and government seals to target the BJP and the RSS. The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Despite his mounting legal troubles, Khan has attempted to stay politically active. Earlier this month, he met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, referring to their bond as “familial.” He continues to criticise the BJP government, claiming that Uttar Pradesh’s law and order situation has deteriorated sharply.
