Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA-elect Amanatullah Khan was questioned by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for nearly three hours on Thursday in connection with allegations that he obstructed a police team during an operation to arrest Shavej Khan, a Proclaimed Offender (PO) in a 2018 case.
FIR Against Amanatullah Khan for Alleged Obstruction
An FIR was filed against Khan following claims that he interfered in the arrest of Shavej Khan in Jamia Nagar on February 10. The crime branch team was acting on an old 2018 FIR when the alleged obstruction took place.
Amanatullah Khan, however, has refused to comment, stating:
“I have been served a fresh notice. The case is sub-judice, so I would not like to say anything.”
Delhi Court Grants Khan Protection Till February 24
Khan joined the investigation after being granted interim protection by a Delhi court. The Rouse Avenue Court granted him protection from coercive action until February 24 and directed him to cooperate with the investigation.
“The court has directed police interrogation to be conducted under CCTV surveillance,” said Khan’s counsel, Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj.
During the hearing, Special Judge Jitendra Singh pulled up the Delhi Police, asking them to clarify whether Shavej Khan was already declared a PO before the February 10 incident.
The court also denied the police’s request to restrain Khan from entering the Jamia Nagar area. Instead, it issued a notice to the Delhi Police, seeking their response to Khan’s anticipatory bail plea.
AAP Leader to Join Probe Again on February 17
Following his three-hour questioning, Khan has been directed to reappear for further investigation on Monday, February 17. Delhi Police stated that all statements given by the MLA will be verified before the next round of questioning.
With legal and political tensions mounting, this case is likely to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing tussle between the Delhi Police and AAP leadership.