Azam Khan gets 2-year jail term for remark against DM in 2019 poll case
Synopsis
A Rampur MP-MLA court has convicted Samajwadi Party veteran Azam Khan and handed him a two-year prison sentence for calling the District Magistrate a 'Tankhaiya' during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign. Already behind bars in multiple cases, Khan now faces potential electoral disqualification — a verdict that could reshape SP's political calculus in western Uttar Pradesh.
Key Takeaways
Azam Khan sentenced to two years in prison and fined ₹5,000 by a Rampur MP-MLA court on 16 May .
Convicted for making derogatory remarks against the then District Magistrate during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign in Rampur .
Khan had called the DM a 'Tankhaiya' and allegedly said officials would clean his shoes after the election.
The complaint was filed by then SDM Ghanshyam Tripathi ; the Election Commission had also taken cognisance of the viral video.
Khan is already in jail and faces multiple other pending cases including land grabbing and document forgery.
A two-year conviction could trigger electoral disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, subject to any appeal.
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has been sentenced to two years in prison by a Rampur MP-MLA court after being convicted in a 2019 case involving an objectionable remark he made against the then District Magistrate during the Lok Sabha election campaign. The verdict was delivered by Special Magistrate Shobhit Bansal on Saturday, 16 May, following the completion of the hearing. Khan was also slapped with a fine of ₹5,000.
What the Case Is About
The case stems from a roadshow held in the Bhot police station area of Rampur during the 2019 general election campaign, when Khan was contesting as the Samajwadi Party candidate. According to the prosecution, a video of his remarks — in which he allegedly made derogatory comments targeting the then District Magistrate — went viral on social media. The Election Commission of India (ECI) took cognisance of the matter and sought a detailed report.
Specifically, Khan had referred to the District Magistrate as a 'Tankhaiya' (a salaried employee), urging voters not to take him seriously. He also reportedly said that after the election, he would make the officials clean his shoes. The alleged incident took place at Mankara village in Rampur.
How the Case Was Filed
A formal complaint was lodged at the Bhot police station by the then Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Tanda and Assistant Returning Officer of Chamraua Assembly constituency, Ghanshyam Tripathi. Following investigation, police filed a charge sheet and the trial proceeded before the MP-MLA court.
Additional Prosecution Officer Swadesh Sharma confirmed that the court, based on evidence and witness testimonies, found Khan guilty and awarded the two-year sentence. The prosecution argued that the remarks made during the poll campaign violated the Model Code of Conduct and undermined the dignity of a constitutional office.
Khan's Broader Legal Troubles
This conviction adds to a long list of legal battles facing the veteran politician. Azam Khan is currently lodged in jail with multiple cases still pending against him, including those related to land grabbing and document forgery, among others. This is not the first time a court has ruled against him — he was previously convicted in other matters as well, making this latest sentence a significant escalation in his legal jeopardy.
What Happens Next
With Khan already in custody, the immediate practical impact of Saturday's verdict is limited, but the two-year sentence carries implications for his eligibility to contest elections in the future. Legal observers note that a conviction with a sentence of two or more years can trigger disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, though any appeal before a higher court could stay that effect. The Samajwadi Party has not yet issued a formal response to the verdict.
Point of View
A reminder that the Model Code of Conduct has teeth when institutions choose to act. For the Samajwadi Party, Azam Khan's mounting convictions are a compounding liability: each verdict narrows his path back to electoral politics and forces the party to manage a senior leader who is simultaneously a political asset in Rampur and a reputational burden nationally. The larger question — whether a two-year sentence will survive appellate scrutiny — will determine whether this is a career-ending moment or another chapter in a long legal saga.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Azam Khan sentenced to two years in jail?
Azam Khan was convicted by a Rampur MP-MLA court for making objectionable remarks against the then District Magistrate during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign. The court found that his comments — calling the DM a 'Tankhaiya' and threatening to make officials clean his shoes — violated the Model Code of Conduct and undermined the dignity of a constitutional office.
Who filed the case against Azam Khan?
The complaint was lodged at the Bhot police station by Ghanshyam Tripathi, the then Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Tanda and Assistant Returning Officer of Chamraua Assembly constituency. The Election Commission of India had also taken cognisance after the video of Khan's remarks went viral.
What does the conviction mean for Azam Khan's political future?
A sentence of two or more years can trigger disqualification from contesting elections under the Representation of the People Act. However, if Khan appeals the verdict before a higher court and obtains a stay, the disqualification may not take immediate effect.
Is Azam Khan currently in jail?
Yes, Azam Khan is already in judicial custody at the time of this verdict, with several other cases — including land grabbing and document forgery — still pending against him.
What was Azam Khan's exact remark that led to the case?
During a 2019 election roadshow in Mankara village, Rampur, Khan reportedly called the District Magistrate a 'Tankhaiya' (salaried person) and urged voters to disregard him. He also allegedly stated that after the election he would make officials clean his shoes, remarks the court held to be derogatory and in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
