AAP MLA gets bail in Waqf case

After court ruling, ED approaches High Court, challenging bail order for Amanatullah Khan

- SHEKHAR SINGH

A Delhi court on Thursday ordered the release of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan on bail in a money laundering case tied to alleged recruitment irregularities during his tenure as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board.

Special Judge Jitender Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court declined to take cognisance of the ED's supplementary chargesheet filed against Khan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), pointing to the absence of required sanction under Section 197(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

The court found no legal grounds for Khan's continued detention, asserting that holding him in custody without requisite sanction would be tantamount to illegal arrest.

"In this case, there is no legal ground to justify further detention of the accused. Keeping the accused in custody under these circumstances, where cognizance has been declined due to the absence of sanction under Section 197(1) Cr.P.C., would constitute illegal custody," the judge remarked.