ED Storms AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan's Residence Amid Probe, Political Storm Brews

Union Minister Giriraj Singh labels AAP as a party of criminals as ED raids AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan's house. Despite ongoing investigations by multiple agencies, nothing has been found against Khan. Central agencies are accused of political bias and harassment with elections looming.

After Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials arrived at the residence of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday, Union Minister Giriraj Singh asserted that AAP is surrounded by criminals. Singh emphasized that any allegations against Khan would be decided by the court. "AAP is a party surrounded by criminals. The party whose chief minister is in jail, and others for various scams, no person is above the law. If there are any allegations against Amanatullah Khan, the court will decide on it," he remarked.

Khan's cousin, Minnatullah Khan, highlighted that despite extensive investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), nothing incriminating has been found. He mentioned that Khan's mother-in-law, a cancer patient, was recently operated on. "Despite the investigations by ACB and CBI, nothing has been unearthed. Now the ED is investigating," Minnatullah stated.

Earlier in the day, Amanatullah Khan had claimed via a post on X that ED officials had come to his house in Okhla, Delhi, intending to arrest him. In a self-made video, Khan accused the investigative agency of harassing him for two years. "It is seven in the morning, and the ED has come to arrest me under the guise of a search warrant. They have been continuously harassing me for two years. Their sole aim is to break our party, but we will not bow down," Khan declared.

Expressing hope, Khan said they would obtain justice as they had in court previously. "This case is completely fabricated," he added. AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj criticized the central government for misusing agencies. "The central government wants to keep all government departments in Delhi vacant. The entire country sees how these agencies are being misused. With elections nearing, they are increasing their pressure," Bharadwaj said.

Earlier this year, the Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Khan in a case related to the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering allegations. The ED had filed a complaint against Khan for not attending summons and failing to join the investigation related to alleged irregularities in the leasing of Waqf Board properties. The federal agency alleged Khan elevated his role from witness to accused by seeking anticipatory bail and avoiding the investigation. ED's counsel argued the investigation couldn't be concluded due to Khan's non-appearance.

A charge sheet has been filed against four accused persons and one firm, alleging illegal leasing of Rs 100 crore worth of Waqf Properties and the appointment of 32 contractual employees during Khan's tenure in violation of rules.

(With inputs from agencies.)