Money Laundering: Delhi Court Seeks ED Response on Amanatullah Khan’s Anticipatory Bail Plea

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday in response to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s plea seeking anticipatory bail in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case. He has been summoned by the ED for today.

Special judge Rakesh Syal issued the notice to the ED and listed the matter for further hearing on Tuesday. The anticipatory bail application was filed through advocate Rajat Bhardwaj.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy argued and requested interim protection. However, the court declined to grant the relief. Guruswamy pointed out that Khan had been summoned in a money laundering case and highlighted the issue of filing two FIRs regarding the same case. The first FIR, dated November 23, 2016, was filed by the CBI.

The allegation revolves around the wrongful appointment of Khan as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board. Although the agency initially closed the matter, terming it as administrative irregularities, they later used it as the basis for filing a second FIR.

Guruswamy emphasized that both bail orders in the cases concluded that there was no loss to the exchequer and no bribes were paid. She argued that there was no evidence of proceeds of crime.

Furthermore, Guruswamy stated that three sets of summons had been issued, with the latest one being for today’s appearance before the ED. The court instructed Khan to appear before the ED, while the counsel urged the court to grant protection until the next hearing.

Previously, Khan had challenged the ED’s summons in the high court, but later withdrew the petition. On January 19, 2024, the Rouse Avenue court took cognizance of the Prosecution Complaint (Charge sheet) filed by the ED in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case.

The ED has charged four individuals – Zeeshan Haider, Javed Imam Siddiqui, Dawood Nasir, and Qausar Imam Siddiqui. During the consideration of the Charge sheet, the ED alleged that a property worth Rs. 36 crores was purchased with ill-gotten money at the direction of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, who allegedly handed over Rs. 8 crore in cash.

The ED’s counsel mentioned ongoing investigations related to the roles of others. It was highlighted that the investigation considered earlier FIRs registered by the CBI, ACB, and Delhi police.

Additionally, it was alleged that Khan purchased properties in the name of his benamidar, Zeeshan Haider. The ED submitted that high-value transactions were recorded in diaries between Khan and Javed Imam Siddiqui, including the purchase of a plot in Okhla for Rs. 36 crore.

The ED argued that evidence indicates tampering with the front page of the agreement of Rs. 36 crore, suggesting manipulation and tampering with evidence. The counsel also highlighted a cash transaction of Rs. 27 crore, establishing a case to summon the accused persons.