Allahabad HC grants Azam Khan three weeks’ time to file counter in UP Govt's bail cancellation plea

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The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted three weeks' time to Mohd. Azam Khan's counsel to file counter affidavits on Uttar Pradesh Government's bail cancellation applications opposing bail granted to Khan in multiple cases. Advocate Nasira Adil will represent the senior Samajwadi Party leader. 

On February 3rd, the high court had asked Khan whether he wished to engage any counsel to represent him or an amicus-curiae be appointed on his behalf. In pursuance of the same, on Monday, Adv. Adil, on behalf of Azam Khan, filed a Vakalatnama and sought time to file the reply on Government's applications. 

Accepting this, the bench of Justice Rajiv Gupta directed to present all the applications together for hearing on March 22.

The state government had filed an application seeking cancellation of bail granted to Khan in multiple cases. Khan is facing around 100 criminal cases, though he has secured bail in most of them while some are pending in court.

Also, along with his son and wife in February 2020, Khan was arrested in connection with cases against him which include land grabbing, encroachment, and providing fake birth certificates. However, since he hasn't been granted bail in the Jauhar University case, Khan is still in prison.

Notably, with wishes to participate in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls 2022, Khan had recently moved the Supreme Court seeking interim bail, however, the Top Court denied the same. 

Before the Supreme Court, he had submitted that he has been granted bail in all other cases, but, proceedings in three cases are “purposefully” being delayed so as to ensure that he is not able to come out of the prison during the Assembly Elections. 

However, a bench of Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice BR Gavai denied Khan's interim bail plea while giving him liberty to approach Allahabad High Court in this regard.

Case title - State of U.P. v. Mohd. Azam Khan