Rampur Sessions Court Affirms Seven-Year Sentence for Azam Khan and Son in PAN Card Fraud
A sessions court in Rampur has delivered a significant verdict, upholding the seven-year jail term awarded to Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan in two cases related to PAN card fraud. The court of Justice Vijay Kumar dismissed the appeal filed by the father-son duo, who were challenging their earlier conviction by the special MP/MLA court.
Court Dismisses Appeal, Upholds Earlier Conviction
The special MP/MLA court had sentenced both Azam Khan and Abdullah Azam Khan to seven years of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000 each on November 17, 2025. The sessions court, after hearing arguments from both sides, affirmed this punishment. According to assistant district government counsel Seema Singh Rana, the court delivered its verdict following thorough deliberations.
However, the legal proceedings are not entirely concluded. The court will continue to hear another plea that seeks enhancement of the sentence, indicating that further developments may unfold in this high-profile case.
Background of the PAN Card Fraud Case
The case originated on July 30, 2019, when BJP MLA Akash Saxena lodged a formal complaint at the Kotwali Civil Lines police station. The complaint alleged that Abdullah Azam Khan had procured two PAN cards using forged documents, with each card reflecting a different date of birth.
- One PAN card listed his date of birth as January 1, 1993.
- The other PAN card mentioned September 30, 1990 as his date of birth.
During the subsequent investigation, the role of Azam Khan surfaced. He was allegedly involved to benefit his son for electoral gains, which led to his inclusion as an accused in the case. Both individuals were later formally charged and convicted by the trial court.
Current Status of the Accused
Since their conviction in 2025, Azam Khan and his son Abdullah have been lodged in the district jail in Rampur. This upheld sentence reinforces the legal consequences they face, marking a pivotal moment in this long-standing legal battle.
The case highlights the stringent judicial approach towards electoral fraud and document forgery, setting a precedent for similar matters in the future.
