Delhi Waqf Board case: Court to pronounce order on AAP legislator's anticipatory bail plea on March 1

A Delhi court has reserved its order on AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan’s anticipatory bail plea in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate has been granted additional time to file a reply and the matter is scheduled for pronouncement of order on March 1.

The ED recently summoned Khan in connection with the case and has opposed his application for bail, expressing concerns about his cooperation in the investigation if granted pre-arrest bail. Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy has argued that Khan had been summoned in connection with a money laundering case and highlighted issues regarding multiple FIRs filed in the matter.

Guruswamy pointed out that previous bail orders had concluded no loss to the exchequer and no evidence of bribery or proceeds of crime. Khan recently withdrew his plea challenging the ED summons and a Special Judge has taken cognisance of an ED chargesheet filed in the case against several individuals linked to illicit funds acquisition.

The ED has presented evidence of a property worth Rs 36 crore in Okhla allegedly acquired with illicit funds, claiming Khan had a role in the transaction. The investigation considered earlier FIRs by the CBI, ACB, and Delhi Police, revealing a cash transaction of Rs 27 crore related to the property purchase allegedly at Khan’s behest.

The court has declined to grant interim protection to Khan and the special judge has been reviewing the case proceedings, with the matter now scheduled for a final order announcement on March 1. The ED’s opposition to Khan’s bail plea stems from concerns about his cooperation in the investigation and potential hindrance to the case progress if granted pre-arrest bail.