A local court in Rampur on Thursday convicted Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan in the 2019 hate speech case, sentencing him to three years in prison, along with a fine of Rs 2000.
The Special MP/MLA court pronounced the order on a petition filed by Advocate and BJP leader Akash Saxena.
Since the jail period is more than two years, the SP MLA from Suar constituency in Rampur is set to be disqualified from the State Assembly.
As per the 2013 amendment to the Representation of People Act, a convicted MP or MLA cannot hold office, if they are sentenced to jail term of two years or greater.
A case was registered against Khan at Milak Kotwali in Rampur on April 9, 2019 under Sections 153a (promoting enmity between two groups) and 505-1 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Section 125 of the Representation of People Act 1951.
The SP legislator had allegedly made controversial remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the then DM Aunjaneya Kumar Singh at Milak in 2019.
Khan was addressing a rally in relation to the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, when he made the alleged speech.
Advocate and BJP leader Akash Saxena, who had contested against Khan in MLA elections of 2022, said that he had raised concerns against Khan in 2019, who was trying to incite violence among two communities by delivering provocative statements.
The lawyer further alleged that Khan used foul language against IAS officer Aunjaneya Singh and his mother.
He said the Returning Officer had taken cognisance of his complaint and after checking the video footage of the speech, ordered registration of an FIR against Khan.