Article:
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan faced a grueling interrogation by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Delhi office for more than 12 hours in connection with a money laundering case linked to irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board during his chairmanship. After arriving at the ED office around 11:00 am on April 18, Khan’s statement was recorded and he was questioned before leaving the office after midnight. Responding to the interrogation, Khan explained, “I was called for questioning; the Supreme Court had directed me to appear, so I had come at 11:00 am. I was questioned and my statement was recorded, and now I am leaving,” as reported by news agency ANI.
The situation stirred widespread concern and speculation, with some AAP leaders claiming that Khan had been arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. However, ED sources clarified that he was detained but not arrested. The agency permitted Khan to leave after a 13-hour questioning session. Meanwhile, AAP MLA Sanjay Singh alleged that the ED was fabricating a baseless case against Khan, expressing concerns about the agency’s purported intentions.
On Monday, the Supreme Court had denied anticipatory bail to Khan, further amplifying the gravity of the situation. This development comes less than a month after the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a liquor policy case, indicating heightened tensions between the AAP and investigative authorities.
The ED’s actions have sparked outrage within the AAP, with several prominent party members, including Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, along with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, visiting Khan’s residence to show solidarity. The party denounced Khan’s detention, deeming it as another attempt by the BJP to undermine the Aam Aadmi Party.
Khan, who served as the chairman of the Waqf Board from 2018 to 2022, is under investigation by the ED for suspected money laundering activities related to the illegal recruitment of staff in the Board, which manages Waqf properties. The agency alleges that Khan acquired substantial illicit proceeds in cash during his tenure.
Clarifying the situation, Khan emphasized that he had been summoned for questioning by the probe agency and was not arrested. Following his release from the ED office, several AAP leaders, including party MP Sanjay Singh and ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, visited Khan’s residence in Okhla to demonstrate their support for him and his family members.
The developments surrounding Khan’s interrogation and the ED’s probe into the alleged wrongdoing at the Delhi Waqf Board continue to fuel tensions and speculation within political circles. As the probe progresses, the implications for the AAP and its leadership remain uncertain.
