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In Uttar Pradesh Government's bail cancellation application against the senior Samajwadi Party leader and Member of Parliament from Rampur, Mohd. Azam Khan, the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday asked him whether he wishes to engage any counsel to represent him or an amicus-curiae be appointed on his behalf.

In this regard, the Bench of Justice Rajiv Gupta directed a notice be sent to Azam Khan through the Superintendent of the Sitapur District Jail. Khan is currently lodged in the Sitapur jail in connection with a number of cases including the present one.

Accordingly, issuing the notice, Court directed the matter to be listed on February 21 for further hearing. 

The state government had filed an application seeking cancellation of bail granted to Khan in multiple cases. Khan is facing around 100 criminal cases, though he has secured bail in most of them while some are pending in court.

Also, along with his son and wife in February 2020, Khan was arrested in connection with cases against him which include land grabbing, encroachment, and providing fake birth certificates. However, since he hasn't been granted bail in the Jauhar University case, Khan is still in prison.

Notably, with wishes to participate in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls 2022, Khan had recently moved the Supreme Court seeking interim bail, however, reportedly, today the Top Court has adjourned the same.

Before the Supreme Court, he had submitted that he has been granted bail in all other cases, but, proceedings in three cases are “purposefully” being delayed so as to ensure that he is not able to come out of the prison during the Assembly Elections. 

Case title - State of U.P. v. Mohd. Azam Khan