• Source:JND
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The Allahabad High Court rejected the bail plea of former cabinet minister and senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, along with three associates, in a case involving the demolition of a residential building to construct a colony. The court's decision, delivered by Justice Rajiv Mishra, follows the reserve judgement on August 6.

Azam Khan was previously sentenced to seven years in prison by the MP-MLA Special Court under charges including sections 427, 452, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The former minister had filed an appeal in the High Court, seeking bail while the appeal was under consideration. However, the High Court, after hearing arguments from advocate Imranullah and Additional Advocate General PC Srivastava denied the bail request.

PC Srivastava highlighted that 104 criminal cases are registered against Azam Khan, with convictions in four of them. Similarly, 64 criminal cases are pending against the then CO Aale Hasan and 13 cases against Barkat Ali. The court also rejected the bail pleas of Barkat Ali, CO Ale Hasan and Azhar Khan, who were sentenced to five years in prison by the Special Court.

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The case against Azam Khan and his associates was filed by complainant Ehtesham, who alleged that his residential house was demolished by the accused using a bulldozer to build the Aasra Awas Colony. Ehtesham further claimed that he was assaulted for protesting against the demolition, with the perpetrators stating that his refusal to vote for Azam Khan was the motive behind the attack.

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The Special Court had sentenced all four accused, including Azam Khan, on March 16, 2024, and imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the former minister. The government's opposition to the bail plea emphasised that the demolition was carried out with the intention of personal gain, proving the criminal intent of the accused.