Amanatullah Khan Denied Anticipatory Bail by Supreme Court in Money Laundering Case

Supreme Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to AAP Leader Amanatullah Khan in Money Laundering Case

The Supreme Court declined to grant anticipatory bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Amanatullah Khan in connection with a money laundering case linked to irregularities in recruitment to the Delhi Waqf Board and property leasing. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta cautioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against arbitrary arrests under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), emphasizing that Khan should only be arrested if substantial evidence exists against him. The Court underscored the need for the ED to adhere to legal protocols and avoid taking the right to arrest for granted.

Previously, the Delhi High Court had denied anticipatory bail to Khan, stressing that he couldn’t evade ED summons. The High Court emphasized that public figures, like Khan, must comply with investigation agencies’ directives and aren’t exempt from the law. The Supreme Court echoed these sentiments, stating its disinclination to entertain anticipatory bail pleas and reinforcing the obligation for Khan to adhere to ED summonses.

The Court declined to issue formal notice to the ED but clarified that the denial of anticipatory bail wasn’t indicative of the case’s merits. It also directed that observations from the previous judgment wouldn’t influence the petitioner’s case and instructed that no non-bailable warrants be executed.

Also read: The Supreme Court has sent a notification to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest, with the next hearing scheduled for April 29th.