The Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan on Thursday in connection with a money laundering case related to alleged “illegal recruitment” by the Delhi Waqf Board.
Arrest and Response
Khan, who had appeared before the federal agency earlier in the day for questioning, was taken into custody after the Supreme Court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea. AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh headed to Khan’s residence upon learning of his arrest.
Legal Proceedings
The Supreme Court bench instructed Khan to appear before the anti-corruption agency on April 18 at 11 am. Before entering the ED office, Khan asserted that he had adhered to regulations during his tenure as the Waqf Board’s chairman, maintaining that all actions were taken within the confines of the law.
Basis of Money Laundering Case
The case against Khan originates from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR and three complaints filed by the Delhi Police. The ED alleges that Khan amassed substantial illegal proceeds through cash transactions involving illicit recruitment at the Delhi Waqf Board and subsequently invested these funds in properties registered under the names of his associates.
ED’s Allegations
The ED contends that Khan, during his chairmanship from 2018 to 2022, engaged in unlawful recruitment and benefited personally by leasing Waqf Board properties. The agency asserts that incriminating evidence, both physical and digital, was seized during raids, indicating Khan’s involvement in the money laundering scheme.
AAP’s Response
The AAP has decried Khan’s arrest as part of what it perceives as a pattern of “false cases” targeting its leaders. Sanjay Singh, another AAP leader embroiled in a separate legal matter, criticized the ED’s actions, alleging fabrication of charges against Khan.
Denial and Counterclaims
While AAP leaders decry what they see as politically motivated arrests, the ED maintains that its actions are based on evidence gathered during its investigations. The agency refutes claims of fabrication, asserting that arrests are warranted by the findings of its probes.
