Court frames charges against AAP MLA, 10 others in Waqf Board recruitment scam

A Delhi court on Monday framed charges against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan and 10 others in an alleged case of irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board recruitment, saying there was “strong suspicion” of conspiracy and “prima facie evidence” against them.

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh, who handles Prevention of Corruption Act cases at the Rouse Avenue Courts, passed the order after taking cognisance of the material on record. The court found sufficient grounds to proceed with trial against all the accused.

The charges stem from a CBI investigation that accuses Khan of abusing his authority during his tenure as DWB chairman from 2016 to 2021. The agency claims he bypassed legal norms to make several appointments, including elevating Mahboob Alam to Chief Executive Officer without following due procedure.

Along with Khan and Alam, the court also framed charges against Hamid Akhtar, Kifayatullah Khan, Rafisshan Khan, Imran Ali, Md Ahrar, Aquib Jawed, Azhar Khan, Zakir Khan and Abdul Mannar. All have been charged with criminal conspiracy and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to the CBI, Khan used his official position to push through a series of appointments in violation of established rules, compromising the integrity of the board’s recruitment process. Investigators claim these irregularities were part of a broader plan to consolidate control over the board by installing loyal appointees.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also conducting a parallel probe into possible money laundering linked to the alleged scam. While no charges have been filed by the ED so far, the investigation is ongoing.

Khan, who represents the Okhla constituency in the Delhi Assembly, has denied all wrongdoings and alleged political vendetta by investigating agencies. His legal team maintains that the appointments were made transparently and within the DWB’s administrative authority.

The CBI, however, has rejected these claims, stating that the recruitment process violated not only the Waqf Act but also general service norms applicable to government-aided bodies. The agency argues that Khan’s actions reflected a deliberate misuse of public office to exert influence rather than serve the board’s interests.