UP Elections 2017: Apex court directs Azam Khan to appear in HC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied any relief to senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan and directed him to appear before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahbad High Court on Wednesday at 2 pm in relation to a contempt case.

The Allahbad HC had issued a non-bailable warrant against the Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister after he failed to appear before the court on at least three occasions.

Khan is involved in a case related to financial irregularities in the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam Board, where he is an ex-officio chairperson.

In an attempt to explain his client’s position, senior counsel V Giri, representing Khan said, “Due to the ongoing Assembly elections in the state, he has prior appointments and his reputation as a politician will be affected if he missed such public meetings.”

The bench led by Chief Justice JS Khehar did not buy the explanation and said, “You can’t hoodwink the court. You have no reason not to appear before the High Court.”

“In our considered opinion, the explanation sought to be tendered before us, ought to have been given to the High Court,” the bench, also comprising of Justices DY Chandrachud and Sanjay Kisan Kaul said.

Khan’s attendance in court can be seen as yet another setback for the SP that’s fighting the last phase of elections. Khan is the second SP leader in court after Gayatri Prajapati on an unrelated case, who got no relief from the top court.