Hate Speech Case: Azam Khan Disqualified As MLA After Conviction

Pic courtesy India Today

Lucknow: Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was on Friday disqualified from the membership of Uttar Pradesh Assembly following his conviction in a 2019 hate speech case.

The office of UP Assembly Speaker announced the disqualification of Rampur MLA Azam.

According to the Representation of the People Act, anyone sentenced to imprisonment of two years or more shall be disqualified “from the date of such conviction” and remain disqualified for another six years after serving time in jail. The Speaker can start disqualification proceedings suo motu or after receiving an application.

A Rampur court found Azam guilty of making provocative remarks against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while campaigning for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and sentenced him to three years in prison.

Azam, convicted under Sections 153a (promoting enmity between two groups), 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) of IPC and section 125 of Representation of People Act 1951, was granted bail minutes after his conviction.