PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 22 -- Justice Sameer Jain of the Allahabad high court on Friday recused himself from hearing a criminal case pending against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan in the matter of Rampur Yateemkhana eviction in 2016. However, releasing the case, the judge said the earlier order regarding stay on pronouncing judgment by the trial court will be in operation till the next date. Earlier, the HC, in its order dated June 11, had observed that trial in the case will proceed but no final order shall be passed. In Khan's matter, about 12 separate FIRs were lodged in which the SP leader and several others were made accused. The case, originating from these FIRs registered between 2019 and 2020 at Kotwali police station in Rampur, pertains to an alleged incident on October 15, involving the demolition of unauthorised structures on Waqf property known as Yateemkhana. These FIRs were consolidated into a single trial (special case no. 45 of 2020) by the Special Judge (MP/MLA) in Rampur on August 8, 2024. The accused face charges of dacoity, house trespass, and criminal conspiracy. htc...