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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took a significant step in the ongoing investigation of alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board by arresting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan. The arrest came after hours of searches at Khan's residence in Okhla, further escalating the political tension between the ruling AAP and the central government. The ED alleges that Khan is involved in a money laundering case linked to the Waqf Board, an organization responsible for managing Islamic endowments.
The arrest triggered strong reactions from both the AAP and the ED. Khan, in a social media post, claimed that he was being targeted by the ED and that the timing of the arrest was strategically planned to disrupt the AAP's political activities. He specifically highlighted the presence of his mother-in-law, who was recovering from surgery, at his residence during the arrest. The AAP also condemned the arrest, accusing the ED of being a tool of the BJP to exert pressure on the AAP in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. They asserted that despite investigations conducted by various agencies over the past eight years, no evidence of wrongdoing has been found.
The ED, on the other hand, maintains that Khan has been evading the investigation and has elevated his status from witness to accused by filing an anticipatory bail plea and attempting to avoid questioning. They highlight Khan's non-compliance with summons issued in connection with the investigation into alleged irregularities in appointments and property leasing within the Delhi Waqf Board. The ED's legal team further emphasized that Khan's reluctance to cooperate has hampered the progress of the investigation, and the agency was unable to conclude the probe due to his non-attendance.
The case revolves around allegations of financial irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board, involving the leasing of properties worth approximately Rs. 100 crore. It has also been alleged that Khan, during his tenure as chairman of the board, appointed 32 contractual employees in violation of established rules. A charge sheet has already been filed against four individuals and one company in relation to these alleged transgressions. The arrest of Khan marks a significant development in the case and adds another layer to the ongoing political tussle between the AAP and the BJP.
Source: Waqf board scam: ED arrests AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in money laundering case