HC seeks AAP MLA’s stand on ED plea in money laundering case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the stand of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on the Enforcement Directorate’s plea challenging a trial court order refusing to take cognisance of a chargesheet filed against him and releasing him in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board.

Justice Vikas Mahajan issued a notice to Amanatullah, who represents Okhla in the Delhi Assembly, and listed the matter for further hearing on March 21. The Judge also asked the trial court to defer its proceedings till after the next date of hearing in the High Court.

The ED on October 29, 2024 filed a first supplementary prosecution complaint (equivalent to a chargesheet), alleging that Amanatullah laundered money which was purportedly generated through corruption in the Delhi Waqf Board.

However, the trial court had last year declined to take cognisance against Amanatullah for the alleged offence of money laundering under the Prevention of Money laundering Act, citing lack of requisite sanction to prosecute him.

During the hearing on Thursday, the ED’s counsel requested that proceedings in the trial court be deferred as the lower court was set to hear the case against other accused individuals on February 14.

Amanatullah was arrested on September 2, 2024, under the provisions of the PMLA by the ED, which conducted a search at his house in the Okhla area.

The ED had accused the AAP leader of laundering illicit funds and being “evasive” in his responses during interrogation.