"Thanks to everyone": SP leader Azam Khan after being released from Sitapur Jail

Shahjahanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 23 (ANI): Azam Khan, the prominent Samajwadi Party leader, walked out of Sitapur jail on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, after spending nearly two years behind bars.
As he emerged, Khan expressed heartfelt gratitude to his supporters and told ANI, "Thanks to everyone. My blessings to all who supported me."
Azam Khan was jailed in connection with the Quality Bar land encroachment case and was released after securing bail from the Allahabad High Court in May this year.
Addressing rumours of joining the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Khan said, "This can be explained only by those who are making the speculations...I did not meet anyone in jail. I was not allowed to make a phone call...So, I have been completely out of touch for 5 years".
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav hailed Khan's release, promising to withdraw all "false" cases against him if SP returns to power in Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier, SP MLA Shivpal Singh Yadav, who had come to recieve Azam Khan, attacked the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh while alleging that his colleague and former Lok Sabha MP Azam Khan was "framed" in false cases.
Addressing reporters, Yadav welcomed the court's decision to grant bail to Azam Khan, who was lodged in Sitapur jail.
"Azam Khan was framed by the government in false cases. However, the court has granted him bail and has provided relief to him in cases. I welcome this decision. I welcome the Supreme Court and the High Court. Many false cases were filed against him. The Samajwadi Party stands beside him," Yadav, six-time MLA of Jaswantnagar assembly constituency, said.
Earlier, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday granted bail to former UP Minister Mohammad Azam Khan in the Quality Bar land case.
Speaking to ANI, Azam Khan's advocate, Mohammad Khalid, stated that with this bail, there are no pending cases keeping him in jail, suggesting he's likely to be released soon.
"So, there's no pending case that would keep him in jail. As of today, bail has been granted in all the cases. This process may take two to three days. As of now, there are no other pending cases...," said Khalid. (ANI)