In a pivotal decision, the Delhi High Court has granted bail to Dubai-based businessman Jawed Imam Siddiqui, entangled in a money laundering investigation implicating AAP leader Amanatullah Khan. The case, tied to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board’s operations, continues to unravel amid a sea of evidence and procedural delays.
Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, in a detailed order, emphasized the prolonged nature of the trial, which involves five accused, 28 witnesses, and over 4,000 pages of evidence. The court underscored that keeping Siddiqui in custody indefinitely, given the extensive timeline, would be unjustifiable.
“Where delays are not attributable to the accused, using provisions like Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as a tool for extended incarceration is impermissible,” the court observed.
The trial has been stalled at the document supply stage, exacerbated by a recent petition from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that was later withdrawn. These procedural hurdles have further stretched the timeline, leading the court to conclude that swift resolution is unlikely.
Siddiqui, accused of facilitating property transfers linked to alleged “proceeds of crime,” has denied any wrongdoing. His defense argued that even if funds had flowed through intermediaries, they did not constitute proceeds derived from criminal activity.
Meanwhile, the ED recently submitted a supplementary complaint against Khan. However, the trial court declined to take cognizance due to the absence of required prosecution sanction, ordering Khan’s release from custody.
The decision to grant Siddiqui bail included conditions such as surrendering his passport, signaling the court’s balanced approach in addressing both legal constraints and individual rights amid a case of significant public scrutiny.
