MEERUT, June 13 -- The Rampur district administration has issued a recovery certificate (RC) against former Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abdullah Azam to recover of Rs 4.64 crore, along with 1.5% monthly interest, after he failed to pay the penalty in a stamp duty evasion case. The revenue department has sent the RC to the tehsil administration, directing officials to recover the outstanding amount without delay. The case involves the purchase of four separate land plots by Abdullah Azam in the Ghatampur-Benjir region during the financial year 2021-22 amid allegations of underpayment of stamp duty in these transactions. In 2023, the then sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) submitted a report to the district magistrate (DM), pointing out discrepancies in stamp duty payments. This report prompted formal proceedings in the DM's court, which concluded after a comprehensive hearing. On April 8, the DM court found Abdullah Azam guilty of stamp duty evasion in three out of the four land transactions. Consequently, a penalty of Rs 4.64 crore was imposed on him, with instructions to pay the amount within a month, along with an additional 1.5% monthly interest. Despite clear directives, Abdullah Azam did not deposit the amount within the stipulated time frame. In response, the revenue department issued a recovery certificate, initiating formal recovery proceedings, officials said. Prem Kishore Pandey, the district government counsel (Revenue), confirmed the development, stating, "As Abdullah Azam failed to comply with the court's order and did not deposit the penalty, the administration has issued a recovery certificate. The tehsil administration has been instructed to ensure full recovery...