Azam Khan gets 2 years' jail over controversial 2019 Lok Sabha election speech

A court in Rampur has sentenced Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan to two years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 in a 2019 case linked to his controversial “tankhaiyya” (salaried employee) remark against the then District Magistrate during the Lok Sabha election campaign.

The case dates back to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when Khan was contesting from the Rampur parliamentary seat on an SP ticket. During an election rally in Bhot, Khan made objectionable and derogatory comments targeting the district administration and the then DM. The speech soon went viral on social media and triggered sharp political reactions at the time.

Addressing the gathering, Khan referred to the District Magistrate as “tankhaiyya”, meaning a salaried employee, and urged supporters not to fear the administration. “Yeh tankhaiyya aadmi hai... is collector se darne ki zarurat nahi hai,” he had said during the rally.

He further made controversial remarks while referring to BSP chief Mayawati, claiming he had seen senior officers cleaning her shoes in photographs. Continuing the attack, Khan allegedly said, “Main inse jute saaf karwaunga,” (I will clean their shoes).

Following the speech, a case was registered against him at Bhot police station under election-related provisions. Police later filed a chargesheet before the court. During the course of the trial, the prosecution presented documentary evidence, eyewitness testimonies and video footage of the speech recorded during the campaign rally.

Advocate Swadesh Sharma, while explaining the court proceedings, said the conviction was based on strong oral and documentary evidence submitted before the court. After completion of hearings and statements of witnesses, the court pronounced Khan guilty and awarded him two years in jail along with a monetary penalty of Rs 5,000.

The verdict is significant because a sentence of two years can also attract disqualification provisions for elected representatives under election laws, adding further political implications to the judgment.

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(with inputs from Amir Khan)