AAP MLA Amanatullah gets interim protection, joins probe

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan joined the investigation on Thursday evening after a Delhi court granted him interim protection for allegedly obstructing public servant on duty.

The AAP MLA had moved the court seeking anticipatory bail in a case registered by the Delhi Police against him for allegedly “leading” an attack on a police team that was conducting a raid to nab a proclaimed offender, Shavez Khan, in an attempt-to-murder case.

The matter was being heard by Jitendra Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts, granting protection till February 24. The police had alleged that due to obstruction by Amanatullah and his associates, the accused escaped from the spot.

A case was registered against him under Sections 221, 121(1), 132 , 191(2), 190 , 263(b), 351(3) and 111 of the BNS.

The police, along with Special Cell and Crime Branch, conducted raids at multiple locations in Delhi and other adjoining areas to nab Amanatullah.

However, Amanatullah argued that the person whom the police wanted to arrest had already been granted anticipatory bail. Since he is a sitting member of the Delhi Legislative assembly, “there can be no apprehension of flight risk or evading process of law”.

The Delhi Police opposed the bail seeking custodial interrogation of Amanatullah for further investigation. It contended the application to be dismissed.

The court in its order noted, “the applicant (Amanatullah) was instrumental in facilitating the escape of accused Shahvez does not seem to carry weight as he (Shahvez) was already on anticipatory bail in the case in which the police had allegedly gone to arrest him.”

It further added that interim protection be granted to the AAP MLA till the next date of hearing – February 24.