The Supreme Court recently refused to grant anticipatory bail to Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan, who faces allegations of money laundering linked to his tenure as the chairman of the Waqf Board.
The apex court's decision came amidst discussions about the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) approach to arrests under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta presided over the hearing and emphasised that Khan should only be arrested if there is substantial evidence against him.
They advised restraint, reminding the ED that the power to arrest should not be misused and must strictly adhere to Section 19 of the PMLA.
The court directed Khan to appear before the ED on April 18, 2024, at 11 am. It was stated that if Khan adheres to this directive, the ED would withdraw its application for a non-bailable warrant against him, currently pending before the trial court.
The justices expressed their displeasure regarding Khan’s previous failures to respond to ED summons, criticising his disregard for the legal process. The court underscored that repeated non-compliance could not be overlooked, highlighting the importance of accountability, especially for public figures.
The hearing was the culmination of an ongoing legal battle that began with the Delhi High Court's decision on March 11, where it denied Khan anticipatory bail.
The High Court had strongly criticised Khan for evading the ED's summonses, noting that public figures are not above the law and must face the consequences of their actions like any other citizen.
The case against Khan stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR and three complaints by Delhi Police. The accusations involve unlawful recruitments and improper leasing of Waqf Board properties during his chairmanship from 2018 to 2022. This ongoing legal saga underscores the judicial scrutiny public officials face and the imperative for adherence to legal norms and regulations.
Follow us
