Todday (9th April), In the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case, a court issued a summons to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan based on a plea from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court’s action follows allegations related to financial irregularities within the Waqf Board. Amanatullah Khan’s summons highlights ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the case. The ED’s involvement highlights concerns about potential money laundering activities.
New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court issued summons to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on Tuesday based on the recent complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate against him for reportedly failing to attend the summons in the Delhi Waqf Board Money Laundering case. The court directed AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan to appear before it on April 20 allegedly avoiding the agency’s summons in a money laundering case related to “illegal recruitment”.
After considering the ED’s arguments, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra acknowledged the ED’s complaint and initiated legal action under Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, along with Section 63 (4) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, due to failure to comply with Section 50 of the PMLA, 2002.
Special public prosecutor (SPP) Simon Benjamin represented the Enforcement Directorate in this case.
According to the federal probe agency, Amanatullah Khan’s status has transitioned from being a witness to an accused individual due to his submission of an anticipatory bail plea and avoidance of investigation.
ED’s legal representative also mentioned the challenges faced in concluding the investigation against Khan due to his non-cooperation with the agency.
Advocate Simon Benjamin elaborated on Khan’s significant role compared to other implicated individuals, stating,
“All the other people are the aides of this particular person. His role is much larger than the other accused persons who have already been arrested and charge-sheeted.”
Recently, the Delhi High Court rejected Amanatullah Khan’s anticipatory bail plea, emphasizing that elected officials and public figures must adhere to the law without exception.
The court emphasized that a separate standard cannot be established for political leaders, stating,
“This Court cannot allow a new jurisprudence or a new set of rules.”
Justice Sharma emphasized that even legislators must understand that disregarding the law carries legal repercussions, as equality prevails for all citizens under the law. They stated,
“All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law, and even the lawmakers should be aware that disobeying the law will result in legal consequences.”
The court emphasized the rights of investigating agencies in India to carry out investigations, asserting that no MLA or public figure is exempt from the law of the land.
Highlighting the scrutiny faced by public figures, the High Court noted,
“The actions of such public figures are closely monitored by the public, setting a negative precedent.”
The searches carried out concerning the purported illegal recruitment of personnel and improper personal benefits acquired by the accused through the unjust leasing of Waqf Board properties during 2018 to 2022, when Khan held the position of its chairperson, as per statements from the ED.
The money laundering case originates from an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and three complaints filed with the Delhi Police. Numerous “incriminating” materials, both physical and digital, confiscated during the raids, indicating Khan’s complicity in the money laundering offense, as per assertions by the agency.