2019 Hate Speech Case: Rampur Court rejects Azam Khan’s plea seeking stay on conviction

A Rampur court in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday refused to stay the conviction of Samajwadi Party Leader Azam Khan in the 2019 hate speech case. Last month, a special MP/MLA court had convicted Khan in the case lodged over his "provocative remarks" against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the then District Magistrate Aunjaneya Kumar Singh.

The Sessions Court pronounced the order pursuant to a direction issued by the Apex Court on Wednesday to decide Khan's application on Thursday itself. 

Khan's conviction in the case on October 27, 2022, led to his disqualification from the UP State Assembly the very next day. Thereafter, the Election Commission issued a press release declaring the schedule for bye-elections in five assembly constituencies including Rampur. The official gazette notification for bye-elections was scheduled to be notified today, i.e. November 10.

However, Khan approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday against ECI's such move contending that it was not proper as his appeal against conviction was pending before the Sessions Court. Taking note of the same, the top court directed the Rampur Court to decide Khan's plea on November 10 while saying that the bypoll notification can be issued on or after November 11.

In this case, Khan has been sentenced to three years imprisonment. Challenging his conviction, Khan then moved the Sessions Court in appeal which granted him interim bail but posted his plea for stay of conviction for hearing on November 16. 

The present case was registered against Khan after the returning officer took cognizance on a complaint made to him by an advocate and a local BJP leader, alleging that Khan was trying to incite violence between two communities by delivering provocative statements.