Lucknow: In a major development from Rampur, a local court has found Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan guilty in the high-profile PAN card fraud case. The case revolves around allegations that Abdullah used fabricated documents—including a forged PAN card—to contest elections despite not having attained the minimum age required to become an MLA.
The Allegations
According to the prosecution, Abdullah Azam allegedly procured a second PAN card by manipulating his birth date to make himself appear older. This enabled him to meet the age criteria for contesting the Assembly elections.
Azam Khan, his father and a senior SP leader, was accused of conspiring in the process.
After evaluating all evidence and testimonies, the court concluded that both father and son were guilty of fraud and document falsification.
Supreme Court Had Earlier Dismissed Plea to Quash FIR
This development follows a significant setback for Abdullah earlier, when on December 6 the Supreme Court rejected his plea seeking quashing of the FIR filed against him for using forged documents while applying for a passport and for possessing two PAN cards.
The apex court had observed that there was no legal basis to annul the FIR and found no justification to interfere with the ongoing investigation or judicial process. It noted that Abdullah was accused of furnishing a false date of birth and fake documents while obtaining his passport.
Fresh Trouble for Azam Khan
The ruling has intensified legal troubles for Azam Khan, who has recently come out of jail and has been battling multiple cases. With the court now holding both him and his son guilty, they may face sentencing in the coming days.
The case marks yet another setback for the influential political family from Rampur, which has been under constant legal scrutiny over the past few years. Further proceedings on the quantum of punishment are expected soon.
