The special MP/MLA court of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh has convicted Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan, 74, of a 'provocative' speech made against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2019 and sentenced Khan along with three others accused from SP to jail term fo three years.
However, the court granted bail to the Rampur MLA, allowing him time to file an appeal in a higher court. "I have not lost faith. Not all doors have closed - I will appeal before a higher court," said the Samajwadi Party MLA.
The MP/MLA court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Khan, advocate Ajay Tiwari said.
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Earlier today, the court convicted the leader of hate speech after a case was registered against Azam Khan at Milak Kotwali in Rampur on April 9, 2019, for allegedly making provocative remarks against Yogi Adityanath and IAS Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, the then DM, under sections 153a (promoting enmity between two groups), 505-1 (statement conducing to public mischief) of IPC along with sections 125 of the Representation of People Act 1951.
Akash Saxena, a BJP MLA who contested against Khan in a recent election in 2022 said that he had raised concerns that Khan was trying to incite violence between two communities. On his request, the returning officer checked old footage and found Khan guilty of hate speech, reports Times of India.
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If Khan does not challenge the sentence immediately before the High Court, he may face disqualification by the Uttar Pradesh assembly, as is the rule when any lawmaker is sentenced to more than two years in jail.
Khan was released from prison in May after facing a 2-year jail term in a land-grabbing case.
Commenting on the recent charges, Khan said that the UP government was relentlessly registering cases against him to ensure he stays in prison. He further alleged that the BJP government is creating an environment in a country where it's becoming difficult for Muslims to exist.
Khan's conviction comes a week after the Supreme Court sought a response from the Centre and the states to a plea seeking directions for taking appropriate steps to stop hate speeches against the Muslim community.
Holding that the Constitution of India envisages a secular nation, the apex court directed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments to come down hard on hate speeches, promptly registering criminal cases against the culprits without waiting for a complaint to be filed.
The apex court warned any delay on the part of the administration in taking action on this "very serious issue" will invite the court's contempt.
