Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan released from jail after 23 months 

Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Cabinet Minister in Uttar Pradesh Government Mohammad Azam Khan was released from Sitapur jail on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) after spending 23 months behind bars in connection with multiple criminal cases. Party workers and supporters numbered in hundreds welcomed him outside the jail. Mr. Khan, left for Rampur immediately and refrained talking to the media persons.

Mr. Khan’s (77) release faced delays for at least two hours due to pending formalities in some of his old cases as the release bond’s fine had not been deposited in certain matters. The procedure required the bond to be completed and sent to the jail administration, which could only happen after the court opened. Once these formalities were completed, Mr. Khan’s release became possible.

Sitapur Administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the areas around the jail to prevent any untoward incident, but a large number of supporters managed to reach near the jail with their vehicles, causing traffic congestion.

The SP alleged that Mr. Khan, a ten-time former MLA has been framed by the U.P. Government in false cases adding the bail highlights that the senior leader will ultimately get justice. “Injustice was being done continuously to Mohammad Azam Khan Saheb and his family. The bail highlights that the family will ultimately get justice. Our party solidly stands behind the Azam Khan family. We will legally fight the BJP against the persecution and false cases,” said Shivpal Singh Yadav, a senior SP leader.