'Nepotism Also Form Of Corruption': Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Amanatullah Khan In Waqf Board Appointments Case

A Delhi Court has framed corruption charges against Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan and 10 others in a case registered by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into the alleged illegal appointments in Delhi Waqf Board recruitment during his chairmanship.“Promoting the interest of near & dear ones, nepotism, as revealed from the facts of this case, is also a form of corruption,” Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of Rouse Avenue Courts said. The judge framed charges against Khan for the offences under Section 120B of IPC read with Section 13(1)(d)/13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, for being in conspiracy with co accused and for getting the appointments in the Delhi Waqf Board. The case alleges that Amanatullah Khan, while working as chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, illegally recruited various people in violation of norms and government guidelines.The CBI alleged that a loss of Rs. 27,20,494 was caused to the Government exchequer in the form of salaries or other emoluments, which was paid to the employees. However, none of the accused persons was arrested by the probe agency during investigation. While framing charges, the Court said that the allegations raised significant prima facie suspicions of conspiracy among the accused and once the said appointments were found to be unlawful, they cannot simply be classified as minor irregularities or breaches of service law. They represent more than mere procedural errors or administrative lapses, it added. The judge further said that if a position is secured through the misuse of an official position by a public servant, the salary drawn by the improperly selected candidate falls under the definition of undue pecuniary advantage.“The discussion as above, prima facie strongly indicates that most of the appointments were given to the near & dear ones of A-1 (Khan). Thus, it cannot be claimed by A-1 that he did not abuse his position to obtain pecuniary advantages for other persons, i.e., the persons so appointed, or that prima facie there was no dishonest intention. So cannot A-2,” the Court said. In November 2022, the court had taken cognizance of offences in CBI's FIR and summoned the accused persons. On their appearance, they were released on personal bonds till disposal of their regular bail applications.The chargesheet was filed by CBI in August 2022 for commission of offence of criminal conspiracy under section 120B of IPC read with sections 13(2) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.Click here to read order

'Nepotism Also Form Of Corruption': Delhi Court Frames Charges Against Amanatullah Khan In Waqf Board Appointments Case

Nupur Thapliyal

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