ED detains SP leader Azam Khan from jail outside Rampur once he gets bail

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan waves after his release from prison in Rampur on Saturday, October 31, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday (Oct 31, 2026) detained Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan outside Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur jail immediately after he was granted bail in the alleged PAN fraud case, officials said. Mr Khan, 78, may soon be arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

On October 29, the Allahabad High Court stayed the sentence of Mr Khan and his son Abdullah Azam Khan in the alleged two PAN card case and granted them bail.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for taking action against Mr Khan.

“Today’s rulers should remember that when times change, so does the throne. The conspiracy to file cases against the respected Azam Khan Sahib is seen not only by the entire country but by the entire world. It is a very cowardly act to imprison an elderly person in such frivolous cases and imprison him again and again.” wrote on X.

Sudhir Panwar, a senior SP leader, said Azam Khan’s arrest smacked of political vendetta.

“He is the only leader who is languishing in jail on frivolous charges just because he started a university for underprivileged sections. His words outside the jail highlighted the state’s discrimination against Muslim leaders in establishing the rule of law,” he added.

#SEARCH | Uttar Pradesh | SP leader Azam Khan was released from Rampur jail. After his release, the ED team reportedly took him into custody in connection with a case registered by the agency. The Allahabad High Court granted relief to former cabinet minister Mohammad Azam Khan and his son, former MLA Abdullah Azam Khan, in the two PAN card case. The court had earlier reserved its order after hearing pleas seeking stay of their conviction, stay of sentence and grant of anticipatory bail.

— ANI (@ANI) 31 October 2026

Published – 31 Oct 2026 21:49 IST