NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Amanatullah Khan was granted bail in a money laundering and financial irregularities case on Thursday. The court set his bail bond at ₹1 lakh. While the court acknowledged the presence of sufficient evidence against Khan, it noted that there was no official sanction to proceed with prosecution and consequently declined to take cognizance of the case.
The court also ruled in favor of Mariam Siddiqui, Khan’s second wife, stating there was no evidence to support the charges against her. As a result, she was discharged from the case. Siddiqui had been implicated in the alleged financial dealings surrounding a ₹36-crore property in Okhla, which the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claims was purchased under Khan’s influence.
Khan, who served as the Chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board from 2016 to 2023, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 2, 2024. The arrest came after accusations of financial misconduct and money laundering, with Khan allegedly directing funds for property acquisitions. The ED’s investigation highlighted a ₹36-crore property deal in Okhla, wherein ₹27 crore was allegedly paid in cash.
The ED’s evidence included entries from a diary and WhatsApp conversations linking Khan to the transactions. One such entry, purportedly written by Kausar Imam Siddiqui, contained a phrase suggesting money was handed over to “Netaji,” allegedly referring to Khan. These entries corresponded with suspicious financial transactions, adding weight to the allegations against Khan. Further details on the case are expected as investigations continue.
