In a video that has since gone viral, prominent Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was heard expressing apprehension during his transfer from Rampur jail to an undisclosed location, saying, “Hamara encounter bhi ho sakta hai” (Our encounter could also happen). Khan and his son Abdullah Azam were being relocated to separate correctional facilities from Rampur.
The transfer took place on a Saturday night, and Azam Khan’s ominous statement was made while he was seated inside a police vehicle. The video rapidly gained traction on social media.
The precise destination of Azam Khan’s relocation remains uncertain, though additional security concerns were cited by Rampur’s Additional SP Sansar Singh as the reason for the transfer. Both Azam Khan and his son exited Rampur jail at approximately 4:40 am and reached their respective destinations around 9 am the following day.
Earlier in October, Azam Khan, along with his wife Tanzeem Fatima and their son Abdullah Azam, were convicted by a court in Uttar Pradesh in a case related to fake birth certificates. The court sentenced all three to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of ₹15,000 on each of them. While Azam Khan and his son were relocated to different facilities, his wife remained in Rampur jail.
Regarding the case of the fake birth certificates, former DGS (Crime) Arun Saxena explained, “Abdullah Azam Khan had two birth certificates, and a FIR was filed by Akash Saxena. After the investigation, the charge sheet was filed, and the court found all three individuals guilty. The court sentenced all three to a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment, along with a fine of ₹15,000.”
The discrepancy in birth dates was a significant issue in the case. Azam Khan’s first birth certificate showed a birthdate of January 1, 1993, while another certificate from Lucknow indicated a birthdate of September 30, 1990.
On September 26, the Supreme Court referred the matter to the District Judge in Muradabad to address the question concerning the correct birth date of Azam Khan, sending the findings to the court for further consideration. The accuracy of the birth date is pivotal in determining certain legal aspects, including issues of juvenility.
