On Monday, the Rouse Avenue Court extended the judicial custody of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan until October 21 in connection with the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case. Khan, who was produced via video conference from jail, was initially arrested on September 2 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case revolves around allegations linked to the acquisition of property worth ₹36 crores in Okhla, which the ED claims involved financial irregularities.
During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) representing the ED argued for the continued judicial custody of Khan, citing the risk of evidence tampering. The ED maintains that the investigation is ongoing and that releasing Khan could hinder its progress. Khan’s defence counsel, Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, opposed the custody extension, offering that Khan was willing to appear daily before the ED to cooperate with the investigation.
This high-profile case has attracted significant public and legal attention. The ED has alleged that Khan is the prime accused in a series of financial misdealings related to the Waqf Board, with funds laundered through questionable land deals. The defence counters that the ED’s repeated custody extensions are unjustified, arguing that Khan has complied with all legal processes so far.
Background on the Case
The Delhi Waqf Board is responsible for managing Islamic properties in Delhi, and this case concerns financial irregularities in the management of its funds. The allegations against Khan include the misuse of Waqf Board assets and funds, leading to the ED’s probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Khan has been accused of facilitating illegal appointments and using Waqf Board properties for personal gain.
Additionally, four other individuals linked to the case were arrested earlier, with charges of criminal misconduct and money laundering. The ED has stated that the investigation is far from complete, necessitating the continued custody of Khan to prevent interference in the probe.
This case has led to considerable political backlash, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claiming that the charges against Khan are politically motivated. AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have spoken out against the BJP government, accusing them of using central agencies like the ED to target opposition leaders. Kejriwal and other senior party members have repeatedly asserted that the ongoing investigation is part of a broader strategy to suppress the party’s growing influence in Delhi and beyond.
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As the case continues to unfold, the political implications and legal arguments are likely to intensify, making this a critical issue both in terms of legal outcomes and political manoeuvring.