The Supreme Court has directed a sessions court to decide on the appeal of Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Abdullah Azam Khan within six months. The appeal challenges his conviction in a case related to the assault of a public servant.
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal passed the interim order, urging the district court to expedite the process. The court also instructed that Khan should be treated as a juvenile accused while hearing the appeal.
This direction came after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Khan, argued that the findings of the juvenile court were in his client’s favour.
Abdullah Azam Khan, a former MLA from the Suar constituency in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, was convicted alongside his father in a case dating back to 2008.
The charges stemmed from a protest held on a state highway, where they were accused of obstructing a public servant from performing his duty. The conviction led to Khan’s disqualification from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
Following his conviction, Khan moved the Allahabad High Court, seeking a stay on the ruling. However, the High Court dismissed his plea in April 2023.
He then approached the Supreme Court, which later sought clarification from the district judge of Rampur regarding his date of birth. His legal team presented a report confirming that the findings on his age favoured his case.
The Supreme Court has now asked the sessions court to reach a decision on the appeal within six months, ensuring a timely resolution of the matter.
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