SP Leader Azam Khan Disqualified From UP Assembly After Conviction In Hate Speech Case

Azam Khan has been convicted in a hate speech case and sent to three years in jail by a Rampur court.

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan

Source : PTI

Samajwadi Party leader and Rampur MLA Azam Khan was disqualified from the membership of the UP Legislative Assembly on Friday after his conviction in a hate speech case, a statement from the office of the Speaker said. Azam Khan was convicted by a Rampur court on Thursday and sent to three years in jail.

The disqualification is in line with rules mentioned in the The Representation of the People Act. It says that anyone sentenced to imprisonment of two years or more shall be disqualified "from the date of such conviction" and remain disqualified for another six years after serving time.

The veteran SP leader was booked in April 2019 for making inflammatory remarks at an election meeting in Rampur district's Khatanagaria village. The speech went viral on social media.

READ | SP Leader Azam Khan, 2 Others Get 3-Year Jail Term In 2019 Hate Speech Case

He had levelled allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and local officials.

Azam Khan was convicted under Section 153-A (inciting religious feelings) and 505-A (making a false statement intended to create feelings of hatred or animosity) under the Indian Penal Code, PTI reported.

He was also found guilty under Section 125 (promoting animosity between different classes) of the Representation of the People Act.

Khan is likely to file an appeal against the sentence in the Rampur district and sessions court. After the verdict, Khan said, "I have firm belief in justice". 

The veteran politician won the Rampur Sadar assembly seat in the recent UP Assembly polls for a record 10th time. He then gave up the Rampur parliamentary seat, which he won in 2019.

Earlier this year, Azam Khan was released from Sitapur jail after the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in an alleged cheating case. The SP leader faces nearly 90 cases, including that of corruption and theft.