The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim bail to Jailed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan in a cheating case, saying it was a fit case to exercise its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant relief.
A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao also directed Khan to file for regular bail within two weeks and asked the trial court to decide on merits without being influenced by any observations of the apex court.
The apex court said the interim bail will be effective till the competent court decides on the regular bail application.
“This is a fit case to exercise powers under Article 142 of the Constitution and grant interim bail to the petitioner,” said a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AS Bopanna.
Khan is currently lodged in Sitapur Jail in several cases against him in Rampur, including land grabbing.
Article 142 of the Constitution deals with the power of the Supreme Court to exercise jurisdiction and to order complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.
