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Synopsis

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan withdrew his plea on Wednesday, challenging the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons requiring his presence in connection with a money laundering case from the Delhi High Court. The case is related to suspected irregularities in the recruitment process of the Delhi Waqf Board.

Justice Rekha Palli and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar allowed Khan to withdraw his plea. "Dismissed as withdrawn," the court ordered.

Notably, on February 1, the bench had refused to stay the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) requiring Khan's presence in connection with a money laundering case.

The case is related to suspected irregularities in the recruitment process of the Delhi Waqf Board.

During the last hearing, the counsel for the AAP leader sought adjournment as the senior counsel appearing for him was not available.

While adjourning the matter, the court had clarified that, at this stage, it had neither issued notice in the petition nor granted any interim order in favour of Khan. The bench had also questioned the maintainability of the plea. 

Khan had moved the High Court on January 30 against the summons issued by ED. 

The ED has alleged that Amanatullah Khan, during his tenure, engaged in the unlawful recruitment of 32 individuals, violating established norms and government guidelines. The agency has further claimed that Khan utilized the "proceeds of crime" from these illegal recruitments to acquire assets in the name of associates.

Recently, the ED filed a charge sheet against five persons, including three associates of Khan—Zeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir, and Jawed Imam Siddiqui—who were arrested in November 2023 during raids on the legislator's premises.

Case Title: Amanatullah Khan v. Union of India & Ors.