New Delhi, 03 November (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Tuesday deferred its verdict in the alleged irregularities in recruitment to the Delhi Waqf Board, involving Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan and 10 other accused. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh directed that the verdict would now be pronounced on November 28, observing that the judgment was not yet ready.

The court also directed all 11 accused to remain physically present on November 28 for the pronouncement of the verdict.

The court had reserved its decision on October 17 after hearing arguments from all parties. Earlier, on March 1, 2023, it had granted bail to all the accused. On November 3, 2022, the court had taken cognisance of the charge sheet filed against them and subsequently ordered the framing of charges under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case originated from an FIR registered on November 23, 2016. Following its investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a charge sheet in August 2022. According to the CBI, irregularities were committed in the appointment of the Delhi Waqf Board's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other personnel on a contractual basis.

The CBI alleged that Amanatullah Khan had conspired with Mahboob Alam and other accused to facilitate appointments to various positions in the Waqf Board. The charge sheet alleged that the recruitment process was conducted arbitrarily and that Khan and Mahboob Alam had misused their official positions to secure the appointments.

Apart from the CBI investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also registered a money-laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the alleged irregularities. The court has taken cognisance of the prosecution complaint filed by the ED.

On January 9, 2024, the ED filed a charge sheet running into approximately 5,000 pages, naming Jawed Imam Siddiqui, Daud Nasir, Kausar Imam Siddiqui and Zeeshan Haider as accused. The agency also named the partnership firm Sky Power in the case.

The allegations in the CBI and ED proceedings concern alleged irregularities in recruitment and related financial transactions. The accused are facing judicial proceedings in the matter.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar