The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with a money-laundering case related to financial irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board. Khan was produced before Special Judge Rakesh Syal hours after he was arrested from his home by the ED who told the court that he was required to be confronted with other accused and evidence in the case. The ED has sought his 10 days custody. The counsel appearing for Khan challenged his arrest. The court has reserved its order on ED's plea and will likely pronounce it late night.
He was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at 11.20 am after the agency conducted a search at his residence in Batla House earlier in the day. The ED told the court that some questions were put to Khan during the searches but he remained “evasive” and hence was arrested. The ED told the court that Khan was the main accused in the case.
“The proceeds of crime have been used and laundered to buy property. Cash (is) also used. There was an attempt to misguide the agency,” the ED told the court.
The agency further accused Khan of non-cooperation, saying 14 summons were issued to him, and he appeared only once, that too after a Supreme Court direction.
The case against Khan stems from two FIRs: One filed by the CBI concerning alleged irregularities in Waqf Board appointments, and another by the Delhi ACB regarding an alleged case of disproportionate assets. The agency had earlier summoned Khan and questioned him for 13 hours.
Khan has claimed that the Enforcement Directorate officials have arrived at his house in Okhla in the national capital to arrest him. In a post on X at 7.43 am, Khan said, “ED people have just arrived at my house to arrest me.”In a self-made video, the AAP MLA said that the investigative agency has been continuously harassing him for the past two years.” It is seven in the morning, and the ED has come to arrest me in the name of a search warrant. My mother-in-law has cancer, and she is currently at my home. I have written to them, and I have also replied to each of their notices. These people have been harassing me continuously for the last two years. Their only aim is to break our party. We are not going to bow down, and we are not going to break,” Khan said.”I am hopeful that the way we got justice in the court earlier, this time too we will get justice. This is a case that is completely fake,” he added.
In another video, an elderly woman was seen lying on the bed as Khan asked a man at his door why the officials were there when he had sought four weeks to appear before the ED. Visuals showed, Khan telling officials: “I want four weeks’ time. My mother-in-law has been operated upon.” The man outside the gate replied, “Why do you believe we are here to arrest you?” The legislator replies, “Why else have you come?”A woman, apparently Khan’s wife, was heard saying, “What do you need to search at a three-room house. Why do you have to turn my home upside down every time?”She has cancer and she has been operated upon. I will take you the court if anything happens to my mother. She can’t even stand,” the woman further said.
Significantly, in another video from inside the residence of AAP MLA has also emerged where the officials from the ED and Delhi Police can be seen working over some documents. While, disgruntled AAP MLA can be seen sitting in next room near his ailing mother-in-law.
Earlier in April this year, the Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Khan in connection with the Enforcement Directorate’s recent complaint filed against him for alleged non-attendance of the summons in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case.
ED recently moved a complaint against him for not appearing before the agency and not joining the probe in the case related to the alleged irregularities in appointment in Delhi Waqf Board and leasing of its properties. The ED had alleged that Khan has elevated his role from witness to accused by filing an anticipatory bail plea and running away from the investigation. ED’s lawyer further stated that they were never able to conclude the probe against him because he was not presenting himself before the agency. A charge sheet has already been filed against four accused persons and one firm. It has been alleged that Rs 100 crore Waqf Properties were given on lease illegally. It is also alleged that 32 contractual employees were appointed in the Delhi Waqf Board during the chairmanship of Khan, who flouted the rules.
