Azam Khan moves Supreme Court against ED detention outside Rampur Jail

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan arrives to be produced before a court, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on November 1, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan urges Supreme Court to list a plea seeking relief after Directorate of Enforcement (ED) detains him outside Rampur Jail on October 31, 2026 immediately after he was released on bail in an alleged PAN fraud case.

Making an oral mentioning before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, advocate Nizam Pasha, for the 78-year-old politician, said this was part of what the Supreme Court had itself, on a previous occasion, said an “evergreening of cases” by the State against Mr. Khan with a political motive in mind.

“It was an illegal arrest in a seven-year-old FIR. The purpose is to to delay his eventual release. The Supreme Court had given him relief the previous time,” Advocate Pasha submitted, seeking a hearing this week.

He said 87 FIRs were filed against his client. This was the 88th one.

The detention has happened with the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in mind, Advocate Pasha said.

The CJI said since his release immediately prior to the ED detention was on the basis of a Allahabad High Court order, Mr. Khan ought to approach the High Court rather than move the apex court directly.

“Have faith in the High Court, it has given him relief. We will relegate this matter to the High Court and request it to take it up without delay,” the CJI addressed the counsel

Advocate Pasha urged the court to list the petition, and then take whatever decision in its wisdom.

“We will list it this week,” Chief Justice Kant said.

Published - November 02, 2026 11:18 am IST