HC denies bail to Azam Khan, his son in machine theft case

Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court on Saturday rejected the bail pleas of Samajwadi Party neta Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan in a machine theft case. Justice Samit Gopal passed the order. The court had reserved its order on Sept 2 after hearing the counsels for the applicants and the state govt.Rejecting the bail pleas of Azam, his son Abdullah, and former chairman of Rampur Nagar Palika Parishad Azhar Khan, the court observed, "All the three applicants have criminal histories...Azam Khan and Abdullah Azam Khan have even been convicted in some cases by trial courts." The HC added that their release may have an adverse affect in the trial and they may even tamper with evidence. However, the court said that the applicants shall be at liberty to renew their prayer for bail once the witnesses of fact have been examined by the trial court. The court also directed the trial court at Rampur to proceed with the trial of this criminal case expeditiously. The case against Azam, his son and five others was registered in 2022. They were accused of stealing a road cleaning machine which was purchased by Nagar Palika Parishad, Rampur. The machine was allegedly recovered from the Jauhar University Rampur which was then run by Azam Khan. The FIR was lodged by Waqar Ali Khan. Azam and Abdullah's counsels argued that father-son have been implicated in many criminal cases, including this case, out of political vendetta. Azam and Abdullah have been in jail since Oct 2023.Govt counsel opposed the bail pleas saying that Azam Khan had misused his position as a minister in SP govt when cleaning machines were purchased by the Nagar Palika Parishad. The counsel added that Azam Khan has been named in 104 criminal cases and Abdullah in 47 criminal cases. They have also been convicted in some cases, govt counsel stated. The counsel also said that 24 criminal cases are pending against former chairman of Rampur Nagar Palika Parishad, Azhar Khan.