Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Monday after six hours of questioning in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the Delhi Waqf Board case.
Following his arrest, Khan was escorted out of his house by police personnel and ED sleuths. As he was packed into the back of a waiting car, he said, "I am innocent."
ED officials raided Khan's home in Okhla, the constituency he represents in the Delhi Assembly, early this morning. The AAP leader, who is facing charges related to illegal recruitment and financial misconduct during his tenure as the chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, had taken to X and said, "ED people have just arrived at my house to arrest me."
As the ED team conducted their search, a large contingent of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces was stationed outside Khan’s home. Visuals from the scene showed officers reviewing documents and materials, with heavy security on the roads leading to his residence.
In response to the raid, Khan posted a video on social media, accusing the government of targeting him and other AAP leaders.
"Just this morning, on the orders of the dictator, his puppet ED has reached my house. The dictator is leaving no stone unturned to harass me and AAP leaders. Is it a crime to serve the people honestly? How long will this dictatorship last?" Khan said.
AAP leaders quickly rallied behind Amanatullah Khan, condemning the ED’s actions and claiming that the leader would be arrested. AAP MP Sanjay Singh took to X and alleged that Khan was being targeted due to the BJP’s political vendetta.
"Look at the cruelty of ED @KhanAmanatullah first he joined the ED investigation, then asked for time for further time, his mother in law has cancer, she has undergone an operation, they reached the house early in the morning to raid. There is no evidence against @KhanAmanatullah but both Modi's dictatorship and ED's hooliganism continue," said Singh.
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was recently released on bail in the liquor policy case, tweeted, "This is the only work left for ED. Suppress every voice raised against BJP. Break it. Arrest and put in jail those who do not break or get suppressed."
The ED’s case against Khan is based on allegations that he illegally recruited staff and unfairly leased Waqf Board properties between 2018 and 2022, resulting in financial gains through illegitimate means.
The probe agency has previously questioned Khan for over 12 hours in connection with the case and has claimed that he acquired "huge proceeds of crime" in cash through these illegal activities. It alleges that Khan invested these proceeds in purchasing immovable assets in the name of his associates.
Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court refused to grant Khan anticipatory bail in March, citing his repeated evasion of summons from investigating agencies. The Supreme Court had also denied him protection from arrest.
