SC Declines to Transfer Azam Khan’s Ongoing Criminal Cases Outside Uttar Pradesh

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 4th Jan. The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday declined to transfer criminal cases against Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan, pending in a Rampur special court, outside Uttar Pradesh (UP) on grounds of alleged “persecution”.

A bench comprised of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice SA Nazeer, and Justice PS Narasimha said it needed more compelling reasons to transfer Khan’s ongoing criminal cases.

“I will not get justice in the state. I am being persecuted… It is not a judge… It is the state. Everywhere, the situation will be the same inside the state,” senior advocate Kalip Sibal, appearing for Khan, said.

“When we transfer (a case), we need far more cogent reasons for the transfer. Sorry. We are giving you the liberty to approach the Allahabad High Court,” the bench said.

The SP leader had requested transfer of several pending criminal cases against him in a special trial court in Rampur outside Uttar Pradesh.

Khan was recently convicted in a hate speech-related criminal case and disqualified from serving in the state assembly.