Not arrested, was called for questioning by ED: AAP's Amanatullah
What's the story
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan left the Delhi office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after a grueling 12-hour interrogation, after midnight on Friday. This came barely hours after his party claimed that the ED had arrested him in connection with a money laundering case associated with the Delhi Waqf Board. After he left the ED office, Khan stated that he was summoned for questioning after the Supreme Court directed him to appear before the agency.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The case is related to the purchase of a property worth ₹36 crore in the Okhla area at the alleged behest of Khan, a sitting MLA from that area. A chargesheet has been filed against four people and one firm. It is alleged that ₹100 crore Waqf Properties were leased illegally. Additionally, it is alleged that 32 contract workers were appointed to the Delhi Waqf Board in violation of the law while Khan was chairman (2018-2022).
Allegations raised
Khan alleges pressure to resign and turn against Kejriwal
Following his lengthy interrogation, Khan made allegations of pressure from central agencies to resign and turn against Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal. Khan claimed in a video message that there have been attempts to secure his resignation and to turn him against Kejriwal. AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh along with other party leaders including Delhi Ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Gopal Rai visited Khan's family on Thursday night.
Twitter Post
Khan addressing media
#WATCH | AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan says, " I appeared before ED for questioning. Supreme Court had told me to join the investigation on 18th April...I was questioned for 12-13 hours and I gave proper answers to all the questions they asked" https://t.co/923wswE8Xy pic.twitter.com/NNODlrdz8J
— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2024
Legal proceedings
Supreme Court's stance on Khan's anticipatory bail
On April 15, the Supreme Court declined to grant Khan anticipatory bail in the money laundering case. However, it also stated that he should not be arrested without sufficient proof. The case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation FIR and three Delhi Police complaints. Upon investigation, Khan was found to have acquired "huge proceeds of crime" in cash through the illegal recruitment, the ED alleged. The proceeds were then used to purchase immovable assets in his associates' names.