Today(9th September), Delhi court has remanded AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan to judicial custody until September 23 in a money laundering case linked to recruitment irregularities and misuse of properties at the Delhi Waqf Board. The Enforcement Directorate, which arrested Khan on September 2, argued that while further interrogation was not needed, judicial custody was necessary to prevent interference with the investigation.
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NEW DELHI: Today(9th September), Delhi court remanded Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan to judicial custody until September 23 in connection with an ongoing money laundering case. This case stems from allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process and misuse of properties associated with the Delhi Waqf Board, where Khan served as chairman.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which arrested Khan on September 2 after a six-hour interrogation, requested the court to remand Khan to judicial custody. The ED stated that there was no further need for custodial interrogation, but judicial custody was necessary to prevent Khan from interfering with the ongoing investigation.
The ED strongly argued against Khan’s release during the hearing, expressing concerns about possible interference in the investigation.
“If released, Amanatullah Khan could potentially influence and obstruct the investigation,”
-the agency said.
They highlighted that Khan could potentially influence witnesses, which would obstruct the investigation’s progress.
Ahead of his arrest, Khan had publicly voiced his frustration over the ED’s continuous scrutiny.
He took to social media, stating-
“It’s seven in the morning, and the ED is here to arrest me under the guise of a search warrant. My mother-in-law has cancer and is at home. I have responded to all their notices and written to them. They’ve been harassing me for two years, aiming to break our party. We refuse to bow down or be broken.”
Earlier in April, a city court had granted bail to Amanatullah Khan after he was accused by the ED of not complying with the summons issued in connection with the case. However, the ED has stated that Khan’s actions escalated the situation, transforming him from a mere witness to an accused. By filing an anticipatory bail plea and evading investigation, Khan allegedly obstructed the ED’s ability to conclude its probe.
The ED’s legal representative argued that despite their repeated efforts to gather information, Khan was not cooperating.
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“We were unable to complete the investigation because he was not appearing before the agency.”
-the ED’s lawyer said, emphasizing Khan’s non-cooperation as a significant roadblock in the investigation.
The money laundering case against Khan revolves around allegations related to the mismanagement of the Delhi Waqf Board’s properties and recruitment procedures during his tenure as chairman. It is alleged that properties worth Rs. 100 crore were leased illegally under his watch. Additionally, 32 contractual employees were appointed to the Delhi Waqf Board in violation of established rules.
The ED has already filed a charge sheet against four individuals and one firm, asserting that significant corruption occurred under Khan’s leadership. The central agency believes that Khan’s involvement in these illegal dealings was pivotal in perpetuating the alleged financial misdeeds within the Waqf Board.
During the court hearing, Khan was produced following the expiration of his previous seven-day custody granted to the ED. The prosecution reiterated their stance, emphasizing that there was no longer a need for custodial interrogation but that judicial custody was imperative to ensure that the investigation remained unhindered.
“Judicial custody till September 23,”
-declared Special Judge Rakesh Syal, sealing the fate of the AAP MLA for the next two weeks.
The court also heard arguments from Khan’s legal team, which opposed the ED’s request for judicial custody. Khan’s lawyer urged the court to release his client, assuring the court that any conditions imposed upon Khan would be adhered to. However, this plea was overruled by the court, and the request for judicial custody was granted.
The ED justified Khan’s arrest by detailing the events leading to the decision. According to the agency, a search was conducted at Khan’s residence in Okhla on September 2, during which a series of critical questions were posed to the MLA. The ED claimed that Khan was “evasive” in his responses during the search, and his lack of cooperation led to his subsequent arrest under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
