After a lengthy 23-month incarceration, senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Mohammad Azam Khan was finally released from Sitapur jail on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. His emergence was met with an enthusiastic reception from hundreds of party workers and supporters gathered outside the correctional facility. Mr. Khan promptly departed for Rampur, opting not to engage with media personnel present.
The release of the 77-year-old leader was unexpectedly delayed by about two hours. This was attributed to outstanding administrative procedures and the non-payment of fines associated with some of his older legal cases. His release hinged on the completion of the necessary bond paperwork and its submission to the jail authorities, a process that could only commence once the courts were open. With these crucial formalities finally resolved, the path was cleared for his release.
In an effort to maintain order and prevent any disturbances, the Sitapur Administration had enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the vicinity of the jail. Despite these measures, a significant number of supporters converged near the facility with their vehicles, leading to considerable traffic congestion.
The Samajwadi Party has vociferously asserted that Mr. Khan, a seasoned politician and ten-time former MLA, was unfairly targeted by the Uttar Pradesh Government with fabricated charges. They emphasized that his bail serves as a crucial indication that the veteran leader and his family will ultimately achieve justice. Senior SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav stated, “Mohammad Azam Khan Saheb and his family have been subjected to continuous injustice. This bail underscores our belief that justice will prevail for the family. Our party stands firmly in support of the Azam Khan family, and we are committed to pursuing legal action against the BJP for what we consider persecution and the filing of false cases.”