Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has got a big relief. Lucknow MP-MLA court acquitted him in the RSS defamation case. Azam said on the verdict, “We have paid many installments of blood…” The court said that concrete evidence was not found.
Lucknow. A major turning point came in the politics of Uttar Pradesh when senior Samajwadi Party leader and former cabinet minister Azam Khan was acquitted by the MP-MLA court of Lucknow on Friday in the RSS defamation case. This case was about six years old, in which Azam Khan was accused of making objectionable remarks against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP while he was a minister. The court found that the prosecution failed to present solid evidence.
Azam’s emotional reaction outside the court
Azam Khan became emotional as soon as he came out of the court after the verdict. He said, “We have paid many installments of blood, but why is the debt to the country not paid?” Talking to the media, he said that this decision will increase the faith in justice. “This is a very honest decision, I pray and thank the judge. There is hope left only from the court.”
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Controversy started due to comments on RSS and BJP
This case started in the year 2014. The allegation was that Azam Khan had issued a statement on government letterhead against RSS, BJP and Shia religious leader Kalbe Jawad. Writer Avvama Zameer Naqvi had filed a complaint regarding this. However, this case was registered at Hazratganj police station after five years in 2019.
The complainant had accused him of insulting the dignity of his post.
Complainant Zameer Naqvi said that personal political use of the government letter pad while being a minister not only hurts the dignity of the post but can also harm social harmony. After this, a case was registered against Azam Khan under IPC sections 500 (defamation) and 505 (statements causing public harm).
When concrete evidence was not found, the court said – “The allegations have not been proved.”
The court of Special Judge Alok Kumar Verma said that the prosecution could not present any concrete evidence against Azam Khan. Therefore the charges could not be proved and he is acquitted of all charges. The court also said that no person can be held guilty without concrete evidence.
Political relief for Azam Khan
For Azam Khan, this decision is being considered not only as a legal but also as a political relief. Recently he has met Akhilesh Yadav and is increasing his activism in the party again. This decision can give new momentum to his political comeback.
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