Rampur, Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan was acquitted on Tuesday in the 2019 inflammatory speech case by a Rampur court, which cited lack of evidence and directed action against the investigating officer.

The case, filed by then SDM (Sadar) P.P. Tiwari during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, accused Khan of making provocative remarks against senior officials and political leaders, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Congress candidate Sanjay Kapoor, during an election rally in Khatanagariya village under Milak police station limits.

Court Finds No Evidence to Support Charges

After reviewing the final arguments, the MP-MLA Magistrate Court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish its case and that the earlier conviction was delivered “without properly understanding the context or examining the evidence.”

The court further observed that some witnesses testified under pressure, and noted discrepancies in the investigation, calling for action against the investigating officer.

Verdict Overturns 2022 Conviction

Khan was earlier convicted in October 2022 and sentenced to three years in jail, resulting in his disqualification from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The by-election that followed saw BJP candidate Akash Saxena win the Rampur Sadar seat.

Following Tuesday’s verdict, Khan said, “It is rare that an innocent person is proven innocent. This verdict proves that justice can prevail even against conspiracy and malice.”

His lawyer, Advocate Zuair Ahmed, termed the ruling a “victory for justice,” maintaining that the speech was part of political discourse, not hate speech.

Despite the acquittal, Azam Khan remains ineligible to contest elections, as multiple other cases are still pending against him in various courts.