Why was Amanatullah Khan questioned by ED? Arrest looms in Waqf Board case
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan faces potential arrest in the Delhi Waqf Board case, with AAP leaders alleging a politically motivated crackdown.
Delhi: AAP MLA Amantullah Khan was questiomned by Enforcement Directorate ED late into Thursday night, in connection with Waqf Board. The ED has summoned him for further questioning next week, with his party alleging the charges are fabricated. AAP leader Sanjay Singh claims the arrest is politically motivated, as Khan refuses to bow to BJP pressure.
Khan's statement and allegations
After leaving the ED office in Delhi just past midnight on Friday, Amanatullah Khan was summoned to appear again by the Enforcement Directorate next week. The Okhla MLA from AAP released a video statement accusing the Modi government of exerting pressure on him through fabricated cases. In the video, Khan asserts that the Central government has been targeting him for over two years, asking him to provide evidence against Arvind Kejriwal, but Khan refused to comply, pledging loyalty to Kejriwal and his constituency.
Khan’s legal troubles stem from accusations that he illegally recruited staff for the Delhi Waqf Board, allegedly acquiring large sums of money through these actions and investing the illicit proceeds in real estate. The Supreme Court recently declined anticipatory bail to Khan, instructing him to cooperate with the ED investigation, leading to his appearance before the agency.
दिल्ली की जनता के लिए AAP MLA @KhanAmanatullah का संदेश:
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 18, 2024
“मुझे गिरफ़्तार कर के मेरे हौसलों को नहीं तोड़ पाओगे तानाशाह”#जेल_का_जवाब_वोट_से pic.twitter.com/uMaEyfNqOr
Sanjay Singh's support and criticism of the ED
AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who visited Khan’s residence after the questioning, criticized the ED’s actions, suggesting they were part of a broader strategy by the BJP to stifle opposition through the arrest of key party members. Sanjay Singh tweeted that the Enforcement Directorate was fabricating a case against Khan, aligning with the BJP's alleged "Operation Lotus", a political strategy accused of undermining opposition leaders by using federal agencies to intimidate them.
The Fifth arrested AAP leader
If arrested, Amanatullah Khan will be the fifth major AAP leader facing legal challenges, following the arrests of Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and even Arvind Kejriwal being embroiled in ongoing investigations. While Sanjay Singh was recently granted bail in the liquor policy case, the current case against Khan has sparked a new wave
