New Delhi. In a blow to the Enforcement Directorate, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday ordered the release of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan on Rs 1 lakh bail and surety bond. Furthermore, the court termed his detention by the agency in the Delhi Waqf Board case as illegal. While refusing to take cognizance of the chargesheet filed against Khan, the court also said that though there is sufficient material to proceed against him, the chargesheet does not carry the required sanction.
This happened after the court gave its order on whether to take cognizance of the charge sheet in Khan’s case. Special Judge Jitendra Singh had on Wednesday reserved the order after hearing the ED’s arguments that there was enough evidence to prosecute the accused in the case. Khan has been in judicial custody for two months. With his release, all AAP leaders will come out of jail.
The ED case pertains to alleged irregularities during Khan’s tenure as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board between 2016 and 2021. According to the central agency, Khan had illegally appointed members of the board, causing losses to the public exchequer. He further alleged that Khan’s agents misappropriated properties worth Rs 36 million. The agency had earlier told the court that an accused’s diary could be used as evidence against Khan.
