Abdullah Azam acquitted in fake passport case, but stays in Rampur jail
Synopsis
A special MP/MLA court in Rampur has overturned Abdullah Azam Khan's seven-year sentence in a fake passport case — but the SP leader's son won't be walking free. A separate PAN card case keeps him in Rampur jail alongside his father Azam Khan, making this a legal win with no immediate real-world relief.
Key Takeaways
A special MP/MLA court in Rampur acquitted Abdullah Azam Khan in the fake passport case on 29 May , overturning a seven-year sentence.
The original complaint was filed on 30 July 2019 by Sadar MLA Akash Saxena , alleging two passport cards with different dates of birth.
The trial court had convicted Abdullah in December 2025 ; the MP/MLA court has now reversed that order.
Abdullah will remain in Rampur jail due to a pending PAN card case; his counsel plans to file a criminal revision in a higher court.
Both Abdullah and his father, former UP minister Azam Khan , are currently lodged in Rampur jail .
Abdullah Azam Khan, son of senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan, received significant legal relief on Friday, 29 May when a special MP/MLA court in Rampur overturned a seven-year jail sentence awarded to him in a fake passport case. Despite the acquittal, the former Uttar Pradesh MLA is set to remain behind bars due to other pending criminal cases.
What the Court Decided
The special MP/MLA court in Rampur accepted Abdullah Azam's criminal appeal and quashed the lower trial court's conviction order. The trial court had, in its December 2025 ruling, sentenced him to seven years in prison after examining charges related to the fraudulent issuance of two passport cards bearing different dates of birth.
Counsel for Abdullah Azam, Nasir Sultan, confirmed the development to reporters, stating that the MP/MLA court had acquitted his client of all charges in the passport case. 'The legislator alleged that Abdullah got two passport cards issued in his name, with different date of births and mis-used it at various instances to cheat and defraud,' Sultan explained, recounting the original complaint.
Background: How the Case Began
The case traces its origins to 30 July 2019, when Akash Saxena, the MLA from the Sadar constituency, filed a complaint at the Civil Lines Police Station against Abdullah Azam. Saxena alleged that Abdullah had obtained two passport cards under his name with differing birth dates and misused them on multiple occasions. The matter was first examined at the Special Magistrate level before proceeding to the trial court, which delivered its conviction in late 2025.
Notably, Abdullah had also come under police scrutiny over the alleged use of a fake Aadhaar card, which led to his arrest and incarceration last year.
Why Abdullah Will Stay in Jail
Despite the acquittal in the passport case, Abdullah Azam's release from Rampur jail remains uncertain. His counsel confirmed that a separate case related to a PAN card issue is still pending before the courts. 'His release from jail is not clear as a case pertaining to PAN card issue is pending. We will have to file a criminal revision in the higher court,' Sultan said.
Both Abdullah and his father, former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan, are currently lodged in Rampur jail. Azam Khan himself faces a string of criminal cases, making the family's legal battles one of the most closely watched in Uttar Pradesh politics.
What Happens Next
Abdullah Azam's legal team is expected to file a criminal revision in a higher court to pursue relief in the pending PAN card case. Until that matter is resolved, his continued detention appears likely. The development underscores the complex web of cases surrounding the Azam Khan family, and observers will watch whether the higher court grants any further relief in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But it changes little on the ground — he remains imprisoned, and the Azam Khan family's sprawling case docket ensures that one courtroom win rarely translates into freedom. What this ruling does signal is that the original trial court's findings were legally vulnerable, raising questions about prosecutorial rigour in cases that critics have long alleged were politically motivated. The broader pattern of multiple simultaneous cases against the same accused — common in high-profile UP political prosecutions — means that acquittals in individual matters rarely end the legal ordeal. The pending PAN card case and the anticipated criminal revision in a higher court will be the next real test.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the fake passport case against Abdullah Azam Khan?
The case stemmed from a complaint filed on 30 July 2019 by Sadar MLA Akash Saxena, who alleged that Abdullah Azam obtained two passport cards in his name with different dates of birth and misused them to cheat and defraud. A trial court convicted him in December 2025, sentencing him to seven years in prison.
Why did the MP/MLA court overturn Abdullah Azam's conviction?
The special MP/MLA court in Rampur accepted Abdullah Azam's criminal appeal and acquitted him of all charges in the passport case, quashing the trial court's December 2025 conviction order. His counsel Nasir Sultan confirmed the acquittal but did not disclose the specific legal grounds cited by the court.
Will Abdullah Azam be released from jail after this acquittal?
No. Despite the acquittal in the passport case, Abdullah Azam will remain in Rampur jail because a separate case related to a PAN card issue is still pending. His legal team has said they will file a criminal revision in a higher court.
Who is Azam Khan and what is his current legal status?
Azam Khan is a senior Samajwadi Party leader and former minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. He is currently lodged in Rampur jail alongside his son Abdullah Azam, facing his own set of pending criminal cases.
What is the next legal step for Abdullah Azam?
Abdullah Azam's counsel has indicated that a criminal revision will be filed in a higher court to seek relief in the pending PAN card case. Until that matter is resolved by the courts, his release from Rampur jail remains uncertain.
