Azam Khan In Dungarpur Case: Allahabad HC Reserves Verdict On Criminal Appeal

Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court reserved its decision on the criminal appeals filed by Samajwadi Party leader and former cabinet minister Azam Khan and contractor Barkat Ali, both convicted in connection with a 2016 incident of alleged forced eviction and assault in Rampur’s Dungarpur colony.

Justice Sameer Jain reserved the matter after completing hearings on both appeals, which challenge the verdict and sentences handed down by the Rampur MP-MLA court on May 30, 2023.

The lower court had sentenced Khan to 10 years in prison and Ali to 7 years.

Case Allegations

The case began with a complaint lodged in August 2019 by Abrar, a resident of Dungarpur colony. He alleged that in December 2016, Khan, retired circle officer Ale Hasan Khan, and Barkat Ali arrived at his home, physically assaulted him, demolished his house, and threatened to kill him.

Abrar’s complaint was one of 12 separate criminal cases filed by residents of the colony, accusing the accused parties of forced evictions accompanied by offences such as robbery, theft, and assault, all under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Defence Challenges FIR Delay

Representing Khan, senior advocate Imran Ullah questioned the credibility of the case on the grounds of delay. He noted that the FIR was registered almost three years after the alleged incident and argued that the explanation given — fear of Khan’s political clout — was unconvincing, as Khan ceased to be a minister in 2017.

Ullah further claimed that the trial court’s proceedings were “illegal” and its findings against Khan could not stand scrutiny.

Prosecution Backs Conviction

On the other hand, Additional Advocate General Manish Goel defended the trial court’s ruling, calling it both “reasoned and lawful.” He stressed that the prosecution had “successfully proved its case” and described Khan as having a “long criminal history.”

Goel argued that the complainant’s delay in approaching the authorities was understandable given the alleged intimidation and threats, and that it did not undermine the strength of the evidence.

The high court’s upcoming judgment will determine whether the convictions and sentences against Khan and Ali are confirmed, reduced, or overturned.

The case is among several legal challenges faced by Azam Khan, whose political career has often run parallel to prolonged courtroom battles. The verdict, once delivered, could influence how courts approach delayed complaints involving allegations of political influence and coercion.