Delhi Waqf Board Case: HC Issues Notice to ED on Daud Nasir’s Bail Plea

The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the bail plea of Daud Nasir, who stands accused in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case. The case revolves around the purchase of a property in Okhla for Rs. 36 crore, with Rs. 27 crores allegedly paid in cash, suspected to be ill-gotten money.

ED has summoned AAP MLA Amanat Ullah Khan in connection with this case, with his anticipatory bail pleas having been dismissed by both the trial court and the High Court.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the notice to the federal agency on Nasir’s regular bail plea, directing a reply to be filed. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on May 16.

Special counsel Zoheb Hossain and Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Manish Jain appeared via video conferencing. SPP Manish Jain pointed out that observations made during the dismissal of AAP MLA Amanat Ullah Khan’s anticipatory bail plea should be considered in Nasir’s case as well.

Nasir’s previous bail application was denied by the trial court on February 22, 2024. The court observed that the ED alleged Nasir, in his statement under section 50 of the Act, disclosed the purchase of properties in Tikona Park, Jamia Nagar, Delhi, for Rs. 13.40 crore. Nasir gave evasive replies when confronted with transactions in a white diary and admitted signatures on a sale agreement extracted from the mobile phone of accused Zeeshan Haider.

The court noted, “There is also force in the contention of the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for the ED that the accused persons have not been able to explain the difference in the amount of sale consideration… or the source of funds… or the huge cash transactions which had taken place…”

The investigation in the predicate offences in FIR no. 05/2020, PS ACB, is pending, the court observed. ED has already filed a charge sheet in the matter.