The Supreme Court on Thursday used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant interim bail to Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who argued that the Uttar Pradesh government was relentlessly registering cases against him to ensure he stays in prison.
Mr. Khan had argued that by the time he gets bail in one case, he is made an accused in another crime. This would render any order of bail previously granted to him ineffective.
Eighty-seven criminal cases have so far been registered against him by the State of Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Khan had secured bail in all of them when a new FIR for cheating was registered against him.
