AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan Faces 4-Day ED Custody in Money Laundering Probe

A Delhi court has remanded AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan to four days of ED custody in a money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced Khan before Special Judge Rakesh Syal after arresting him from his home. The ED sought a 10-day custody, stating the need to confront him with other accused and evidence.

The 50-year-old MLA from Okhla was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at 11:20 am. The ED had arrived at his residence for a search just after 6 am. The judge ordered Khan to be produced on September 6, after reserving the order on the ED's application.

Money Laundering Probe

The money laundering investigation against Khan originates from two FIRs. One was registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning irregularities in the Delhi Wakf Board. The other was filed by the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch related to alleged possession of disproportionate assets.

The ED informed the court that Khan was evasive during questioning at his home, leading to his arrest. The agency claimed that Khan is the main accused, alleging that proceeds of crime were used to buy property and cash was involved.

Non-Cooperation Allegations

The ED accused Khan of non-cooperation, stating that he had been issued 14 summonses but appeared only once, following a Supreme Court directive. The agency also alleged an attempt to misguide them during their investigation.

Khan is among several AAP leaders arrested by the federal agency in various money laundering cases. This list includes Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, and former minister Satyendar Jain. Sisodia and Singh are currently out on bail.

Video Evidence

A purported video showed Khan sitting near his mother-in-law, who he said had recently undergone surgery. Another unconfirmed video depicted Khan telling an ED officer outside his locked gate that he knew they intended to arrest him.

Khan stated that his mother-in-law is a cancer patient who had surgery four days ago. He had requested four weeks from the ED for her treatment. "Today, these people have come to arrest me. Will the ED deputy director take responsibility in front of the SHO that if they arrest me, it will not have a bad effect on my mother-in-law's health and she will not die?" he said in a video message posted on X before his arrest.

Previous Investigations

Khan claimed full cooperation with the ED, stating that earlier investigations by the ACB and CBI had given him a clean chit. "The ED had searched my house in this case on 10 October 2023," he added.

The ED has previously conducted raids on Khan's premises, alleging he acquired substantial proceeds of crime through illegal recruitment in the Delhi Wakf Board. These funds were reportedly used to purchase immovable assets in associates' names.

The agency alleged illegal recruitment and personal gains through unfair leasing of Wakf Board properties during Khan's chairmanship from 2018-2022. In January, the agency filed a charge sheet naming four individuals, including three alleged associates of Khan: Zeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir, and Jawed Imam Siddiqui.

This case highlights ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges faced by several AAP leaders amid allegations of financial misconduct and corruption.