Azam Khan’s Release After 23 Months: Sitapur Jail Prepares Amid Tight Security

Lucknow, Sept 2025 : Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former cabinet minister Azam Khan is set to walk free from Sitapur jail on Tuesday morning after spending nearly 23 months in incarceration. His release comes following bail orders in multiple cases, along with the payment of a fine of ₹3,000. The jail authorities have confirmed that he will step out at 7 a.m., bringing to an end a turbulent legal chapter that has kept him behind bars since October 2023.

A Leader Entangled in Legal Battles

Azam Khan’s political journey has been overshadowed by a staggering number of legal cases. With over 104 cases registered against him—93 in Rampur alone—the charges range from land grabbing to allegations as unusual as goat theft. While verdicts have been pronounced in 12 cases, outcomes have been mixed: convictions in some, acquittals in others.

He has secured bail in almost all cases, yet procedural delays and fresh convictions kept him from being released earlier. His imprisonment spanned one year, 11 months, and four days, marking one of the longest detentions faced by a prominent opposition leader in recent times.

From Rampur to Sitapur: A Journey Through Prisons

Azam Khan was first jailed in 2020 and initially housed in Rampur. However, citing security concerns, he was later shifted to Sitapur jail. Though granted bail in May 2022, his troubles deepened when he was sentenced in another case, forcing him to surrender once again on October 18, 2023.

Since then, he has remained in custody in Sitapur, with his legal team tirelessly pursuing relief. Recent bail in several cases—including the Dungarpur incident, the 2008 public property damage case, and the Quality Bar case—paved the way for his imminent release.

Wave of Excitement Among Supporters

The news of Azam Khan’s release has electrified the Samajwadi Party cadre. His son, Abdullah Azam, has already reached Sitapur jail, while supporters from Rampur and beyond are gathering outside the premises. Many are preparing a grand welcome, seeing his return as a morale booster for the party.

Amaan, a Rampur resident and neighbour of Azam Khan, expressed his joy: “We are very happy that Azam Khan has been released. We have been waiting for this moment, and preparations have been made to welcome him.” Another neighbour, Sharafat, echoed similar sentiments, noting that Khan’s absence had cast a long silence over their community, which now feels lifted.

Administration on High Alert

The Sitapur jail administration and local police are leaving nothing to chance. Anticipating large crowds of party workers and supporters, the district authorities have deployed additional forces to maintain law and order. Barricades have been erected, and senior officers are supervising the arrangements to prevent chaos.

Officials have clarified that Khan will be released only after the ₹3,000 fine is deposited at the Sitapur court, which opens at 10 a.m. Once the receipt is produced, the jail authorities will formalise his release.

Political Speculation on the Horizon

As anticipation builds, speculation is rife about Azam Khan’s next political move. Will he continue with the Samajwadi Party, or will he switch loyalties? Political circles are abuzz with rumours that he may “abandon the bicycle and ride the elephant”—a metaphor for leaving the SP and joining the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Fueling this speculation, BSP MLA Umashankar Singh publicly stated that Azam Khan would be “welcome in the BSP” if he chose to make the switch. While no official word has come from Khan himself, his release is expected to send ripples through the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Rampur, his stronghold.

What Lies Ahead

For now, the spotlight remains on Sitapur, where thousands of supporters are expected to gather to witness the release of one of the most influential Muslim leaders in Uttar Pradesh politics. His freedom could re-energise the SP cadre in the state ahead of crucial political battles, while also testing the waters for potential realignments.

Azam Khan’s return after nearly two years marks not just the end of a long legal ordeal, but also the beginning of a new phase in his political career—one that could significantly influence Uttar Pradesh’s political equations.

Team Maverick.