Allahabad High Court Consolidates Pleas in Land Eviction Case Involving Azam Khan

The Allahabad High Court has combined the petition of Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan with those of other accused in a forced eviction case. This decision follows the registration of 12 FIRs against Khan and others, stemming from a 2016 incident involving the demolition of an unauthorized structure. The court has scheduled a hearing for July 3, while previously halting the final order on the consolidated trial. The case raises significant legal questions regarding procedural fairness and the admissibility of key witness testimonies. Stay tuned for further developments on this high-profile case.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 26, 2025, 07:07 IST

Court Decision on Azam Khan's Petition

The Allahabad High Court has combined the petition filed by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan regarding a forced eviction case with the petitions of other accused individuals. This decision was made on Wednesday.

Previously, a total of 12 separate FIRs had been registered against former MP Mohammad Azam Khan and several other defendants. Justice Samit Gopal has scheduled the hearing for this case on July 3.

Earlier, on June 11, the Allahabad High Court had imposed a stay on the final order regarding the consolidated trial of the 12 FIRs filed against Azam Khan and others in the eviction case. However, the court permitted the subordinate court to continue its proceedings in the matter.

Background of the Case

This case pertains to an alleged incident that occurred on October 15, 2016, involving the demolition of an unauthorized structure known as Yatim Khana (Waqf No. 157). Between 2019 and 2020, 12 FIRs were filed at the Kotwali police station in Rampur district regarding this matter.

Initially, separate trials were conducted for these FIRs, which were later consolidated into a single trial by the Special Judge (MP/MLA) in Rampur on August 8, 2024. The accused face charges under the Indian Penal Code for robbery, trespassing, and criminal conspiracy.

Legal Proceedings and Challenges

On June 11, the court reached this decision after hearing arguments from the petitioners' lawyer, who expressed concerns about procedural fairness, given that the subordinate court was committed to resolving the case within June.

This petition challenges the subordinate court's decision from May 30, 2025, which rejected requests to summon key witnesses, including Zafar Ahmed Farooqi, the chairman of the Sunni Central Waqf Board, and to present video evidence of the 2016 eviction incident. The petitioners argued that Farooqi's testimony could help establish their absence from the scene.