Delhi Waqf Board Case: ED nabs AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan after 9-hour questioning

Speaking to the media prior to entering the ED office, Khan asserted that, during his tenure as chairman of the Waqf Board, he complied with all regulations, obtaining legal advice and acting in accordance with the newly implemented Act for the board in 2013.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), on April 18, arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan related to a money laundering case associated with the Delhi Waqf Board after nine hours of questioning.

Following Khan's arrest, AAP leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh reportedly went to his home. AAP leader Atishi also took to microblogging X shortly after his detention to declare that the party will "continue to fight strongly against your (BJP's) dictatorship."

Earlier in the day, Khan had appeared before the investigation agency to be questioned over the money laundering issue. This happened after the Supreme Court turned down his April 15 request for anticipatory bail.

Khan was called to appear before the anti-corruption agency on April 18 at 11 am by a top court bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta.

Speaking to the media prior to entering the ED office, Khan asserted that, during his tenure as chairman of the Waqf Board, he complied with all regulations, obtaining legal advice and acting in accordance with the newly implemented Act for the board in 2013.

As per the central investigation agency, Khan obtained "huge proceeds of crime" by hiring employees of the Delhi Waqf Board illegally and using the money he received to buy real estate under the names of his accomplices.

According to the investigation agency, during the raids, "incriminating" digital and physical evidence was found, which "indicated" Khan's involvement in the money laundering case.

The AAP, meanwhile, said that this was one of the "false cases" that were being brought against its leaders.

The charge sheet submitted by the ED also mentioned three other associates of the AAP leader - Zeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir, and Jawed Imam Siddique.

In a statement, the ED said that during Khan's tenure as the chairperson (2018–2022), the Waqf Board engaged in “illegal recruitment” of employees and made “illegal personal gains” through unfair leasing of the board’s properties.