Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan and his son, former MLA Abdullah Azam, are set to be released from Rampur District Jail following relief from the Allahabad High Court in the dual PAN card case.
The Allahabad High Court, on October 29, 2026, granted bail to both leaders and suspended their prison sentences while hearing their criminal revision petitions challenging their convictions.
However, the court refused to stay their convictions. This means that although their prison sentences have been suspended and they have been granted bail in this case, their convictions remain legally in force.
What Is the Dual PAN Card Case?
- The case originated from a complaint filed in 2019 by BJP leader Akash Saxena, who alleged that Abdullah Azam possessed two PAN cards containing different dates of birth.
- According to the prosecution, one PAN card mentioned his date of birth as January 1, 1993, while the other recorded it as September 30, 1990.
- The prosecution alleged that the second PAN card was used to show an older age to meet the minimum age requirement for contesting the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
- Azam Khan was also accused of being involved in the alleged conspiracy.
- In November 2025, a Rampur court convicted the father and son in the case involving allegations of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy and awarded prison sentences.
- Both subsequently challenged their convictions and sentences before the Allahabad High Court.
Why Did the High Court Grant Bail?
- Justice Samit Gopal of the Allahabad High Court allowed their applications seeking suspension of sentence and bail.
- The court considered the nature of the case, the period already spent in custody and the fact that the case involved a fixed-term sentence.
- The court, however, rejected their applications seeking a stay on their convictions.
- The criminal revision petitions challenging their convictions will continue before the High Court, with the matter listed for further hearing in January 2027.
Release Process at Rampur Jail
- Following the High Court’s decision, legal formalities for their release began at Rampur.
- According to reports published on October 30, the Rampur MP/MLA court issued release warrants in five cases after the required bail documents and verification procedures were processed.
- However, release from prison depends on the completion of all necessary legal formalities and confirmation that no other valid detention orders remain pending against them.
- Reports also indicated that additional cases and pending proceedings could affect the timing of Azam Khan’s release.
- Therefore, the exact time of their release should be confirmed by the jail authorities.
Convictions and Political Eligibility
- Although the High Court suspended their sentences in the dual PAN card case, it refused to stay their convictions.
- This distinction is important. Suspension of a sentence and a stay on conviction are legally different matters.
- As their convictions remain in force, the disqualification arising from their sentences of more than two years also remains applicable, subject to the outcome of further legal proceedings.
Another Legal Development
- Azam Khan is also facing proceedings in other cases. His lawyer reportedly stated that he would have to appear before a court on November 2 in connection with an Enforcement Directorate related matter.
- This is separate from the dual PAN card case in which the High Court granted bail.
- The legal proceedings involving Azam Khan and Abdullah Azam therefore remain ongoing despite the latest relief from the Allahabad High Court.
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