Lucknow: After being acquitted in the POCSO case and securing bail under the Gangster Act, Samajwadi Party functionary Moeed Khan was released from Faizabad jail on Friday, where he had been incarcerated for 19 months. Speaking to the media after his release, Khan said he had faith in the judiciary and had finally received justice. Calling Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath a saint, Khan said the CM was misled by false reports and incorrect information provided by certain individuals, which, he claimed, led to action being taken against him. Khan also appealed for the Chief Minister’s support to help restart his bakery, the only source of livelihood for his family. He further alleged that some people from his own community acted out of revenge, adding that the girl was wrong and, along with her mother, had been influenced by certain members of his community. Earlier, on Jan 29, Special Judge (POCSO Act) Nirupama Vikram acquitted Moeed Khan in the POCSO case, holding that the prosecution failed to prove any offence by him against the survivor. The court, however, convicted co-accused Raju Khan and sentenced him to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000. Raju Khan was found guilty under Section 376(3) of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, with the court citing medical and DNA evidence as establishing his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Moeed Khan later secured bail in a separate case under the Gangsters Act, paving the way for his release. The incident was reported from the Kalandar police station area, where a minor girl was allegedly raped and an obscene video was reportedly recorded. The matter came to light on July 29, 2024, after the victim was found to be around two months pregnant. The victim’s mother filed a complaint naming bakery owner Moeed Khan and his employee, Raju.
