Officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrived at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Amanatullah Khan early this morning as part of an ongoing investigation into a money laundering case against the MLA. The case is linked to alleged irregularities in appointments within the Delhi Waqf Board and the leasing of its properties.

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Khan expressed concerns that the ED's primary objective was to arrest him under the guise of conducting a search. He mentioned that his mother-in-law, who had recently undergone surgery for cancer, was currently at his residence and that he had already informed the agency of this situation.

"They are here to arrest me," Mr. Khan claimed in his video statement, accusing the authorities of subjecting him to harassment over the past two years. He further alleged that the central government's aim was to undermine the AAP by targeting its members. Despite this, he urged the people of Okhla not to worry, promising to continue serving them without fear.

Visuals accompanying the statement showed Mr. Khan speaking to an ED official through a mesh door, with his elderly mother-in-law resting on a bed nearby. He requested a four-week reprieve, citing his family’s medical emergency. However, the ED official questioned his belief that they were there to arrest him, prompting the MLA to respond, "Why else would you be here?"

Mr. Khan's wife also voiced her frustration, asking why their home was being repeatedly turned upside down. She warned that she would seek legal recourse if her mother, who was too weak to stand, suffered any harm.

Top AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and MP Sanjay Singh, sharply criticized the central government, accusing it of using the ED to suppress dissent. Sisodia, who himself was recently granted bail in a separate money laundering case, remarked, "The ED's sole job now seems to be silencing every voice that opposes the BJP."

Sanjay Singh also questioned the legitimacy of the investigation against Mr. Khan, referring to it as a "comedy." He pointed out that the CBI had previously told a court that no financial crime had been committed in this matter, and despite earlier searches of Mr. Khan's residence, nothing incriminating had been found.