LI Network
Published on: 5 August 2023 at 15:57 IST
The Allahabad High Court has issued a notice to Samajwadi Party Leader Azam Khan, the respondent, in response to the State Government’s appeal challenging the order of the Appellate Court.
The Appellate Court had acquitted the respondent in a hate speech case related to the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, where derogatory remarks were made against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Justice Raj Beer Singh, presiding over the case, ordered the notice to be served to the respondent, returnable at an early date.
The court also requested the record of the trial court and the appellate court to be summoned for further examination. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing on September 27, 2023.
During the proceedings, Additional Advocate General P.C. Srivastava, along with Advocate A.K. Sand and Advocate J.K. Upadhyay, appeared on behalf of the appellant, the State.
In this particular case, the respondent faced charges of hate speech under Sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 125 of the Representation of People Act 1951 (RPA).
The trial court had convicted the respondent and sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment. However, the respondent appealed the decision before the Appellate Court, which subsequently overturned the trial court’s order and acquitted the respondent.
In response, the State Government filed an appeal before the High Court challenging the Appellate Court’s decision.
The High Court has now set the matter for a hearing on August 27, where further proceedings will take place.
