Senior Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam were on Monday convicted and sentenced to prison terms of up to seven years by a special MP/MLA court in Rampur for their involvement in a 2019 forgery case concerning the procurement of two PAN cards under fraudulent identities.
The court’s ruling, delivered by Special Magistrate Shobhit Bansal, came after a thorough examination of documentary evidence and witness statements, according to Prosecution Officer Rakesh Kumar Maurya. He confirmed that both father and son would indeed be taken into custody immediately following the conviction.
The legal proceedings stem from a case initially registered in 2019 after BJP leader Akash Saxena lodged a complaint at Rampur’s Civil Lines police station. The charges include IPC sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for cheating), 471 (using forged document), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy).
In the course of their investigation, authorities uncovered that Abdullah had acquired a PAN card from the Income Tax Department. This card incorrectly listed his date of birth as January 1, 1993, a discrepancy that contradicted his school records and other vital documents.
The court found that Abdullah was complicit in the crime and procured the fraudulent PAN card “in conspiracy with his father,” as stated by the prosecution. The judgment underscored the seriousness of the offenses committed by the accused, especially given their political stature in the region.
Maurya affirmed that the prosecution would review the judgment and might consider an appeal if they deem the sentences inadequate. The case signifies a pivotal moment in Rampur, showcasing the judiciary’s commitment to addressing fraud regardless of an individual’s public profile.
This conviction raises important questions regarding political accountability and transparency, shedding light on the need for stringent measures against fraud and corruption in public offices. Stakeholders across political spectrums await further developments in this high-profile case.
