New Delhi:

The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday issued summons to Aam Aadmi Parry (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with the recent charges filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with his absence from summons in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra, after hearing the ED, took note of the ED’s complaint and lodged a complaint under Section 174 of the IPC, 1860 read with Section 63 (4) of the PMLA, 2002, as Appeal for absence from work. Comply with Section 50 of PMLA, 2002.

The court directed Amanatullah Khan to appear before the court on April 20, 2024.

Special Prosecutor (SPP) Simon Benjamin appeared on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate in the matter.

The federal investigation agency claimed that Amanatullah Khan elevated his role from witness to accused by filing an anticipatory bail plea and evading investigation.

ED’s lawyers further said that they could never conclude the investigation against him as he did not appear before the agency.

All others are this man’s assistants. His role was much greater than that of other defendants who have been arrested and charged,” lawyer Simon Benjamin added.

Recently, the Delhi High Court rejected Amanatullah Khan’s anticipatory bail plea and said elected representatives and public figures are not above the law. A separate class cannot be created for political leaders. The High Court said that this court cannot allow a new jurisprudence or a new set of rules to be framed.

“Even a legislator should know that violation of the law will have legal consequences as all citizens are equal before the law,” Justice Sharma said.

The court further said that the Indian investigative agencies have the power to conduct investigations. In summary, neither MLA nor any public figure is above the law of the country.

The High Court noted: “The conduct of such public figures is closely scrutinized by the public. This sets a bad precedent.”

The high court noted that the AAP MLA had evaded several summons issued by the ED. The high court said the law did not allow such avoidance of multiple summonses.

The high court also noted that the property in question was purchased for Rs. 360 million rupees and 270 million rupees in cash. The existence of two sale agreements has also raised questions.

“People also have a right to know what the truth is when their elected leaders are under investigation,” the high court said.

On March 1, the Rouse Avenue Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of ​​AAP MLA Amanatulah Khan.

The case relates to the alleged purchase of properties worth Rs 360 million in Okhla district at the behest of Amanat Ullah Khan, who is also the sitting MP from the district.

Charges have been filed against four defendants and one company. It is said that Rs. A waqf property worth Rs 100 crore was illegally leased.

It is alleged that the Delhi Waqf Board appointed 32 contractual employees during the tenure of Amanatullah Khan as chairman, in violation of regulations.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)