The Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case, citing a lack of prosecution sanction against him.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh of Rouse Avenue court said that there was sufficient evidence to proceed against him but no prosecution sanction had been obtained. The judge also directed that Khan be released on a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh. The court also denied taking cognisance of the supplementary chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Khan in the case.
Counsel for AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, Rajat Bhardwaj told ANI, “… The court has declined to take cognisance against Amanatullah Khan because there was no sanction against him and the court has directed his release with the surety of Rs. one lakh… There’s no evidence against accused number seven, Mariam Siddiqui, therefore no summons have been issued against her…”
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Amanatullah Khan has been in judicial custody for two months. With his release, all AAP leaders will be out of jail.
He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a case which pertains alleged irregularities committed during Khan’s tenure as the chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board between 2016 and 2021. According to the central agency, Khan had illegally appointed members to the board, causing a loss to the exchequer. It further alleged that Rs 36 crore was laundered into properties by Khan’s agents.
The ED case against Khan stems from two FIRs: one filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning alleged irregularities in Waqf Board appointments; and another by the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) regarding an alleged case of disproportionate assets. Khan was granted bail in the CBI case as he was not arrested. In the ACB case, he was granted regular bail after being arrested.
Also Read: ED arrests AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case
