Rampur: Samajwadi Party leader Mohammed Azam Khan returned to prison on Monday after a special MP MLA court sentenced him to seven years in a 2019 dual PAN card case. His son, Abdullah Azam, received the same sentence. The court found both men guilty of using different dates of birth to obtain two PAN cards and submitting forged records in official documents.
Heavy security accompanied their transfer from the court to the district jail. Azam Khan, 77, spoke briefly to reporters. He said the court had delivered its decision and he would accept it. His son remained silent while being escorted away.
Special Magistrate Shobhit Bansal delivered the verdict after examining documents and witness testimonies. Prosecution Officer Rakesh Kumar Maurya, supported by advocate Swadesh Sharma, detailed the charges to the media. The case was filed in 2019 at Rampur’s Civil Lines police station by BJP leader Akash Saxena. The FIR listed charges under IPC sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120 B. Investigators said Abdullah obtained a PAN card with a forged date of birth. The court held that he secured the forged card in conspiracy with his father.
The court issued separate prison terms and fines under each IPC section. Under Section 420, both received three years in prison and a fine of Rs 10,000. Section 467 resulted in seven years and a Rs 10,000 fine. Section 468 earned them three years and a Rs 10,000 fine. Section 471 sentenced them to two years and a Rs 10,000 fine. Section 120 B added one year and a Rs 10,000 fine. Failure to pay fines will lead to additional imprisonment.
Azam Khan was released from Sitapur jail on September 23 after serving 23 months. Before this, he spent 27 months in custody. The court has adjusted his new sentence to account for the time already served in this case. The prosecution said it will study the judgment and consider an appeal.
Khan faces 84 cases. This is his fourth conviction. Four cases have ended in acquittals and the rest are pending.
