The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken major action in a case linked to alleged money laundering, fake accreditation claims, and suspicious financial activities involving Al Falah University in Faridabad. The agency has arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the chairman and founder of the university, and a Delhi court has now sent him to 13 days of ED custody. His arrest comes at a time when the university is also facing scrutiny for its possible links to the November 10 Delhi car blast near the Red Fort.
According to officials, Siddiqui was arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after key evidence was recovered during raids conducted at several locations linked to the Al Falah Group.
The ED began investigating the case based on two FIRs filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. These FIRs accused Al Falah University of misrepresenting its accreditation and recognition status. According to the allegations, the university falsely claimed:
It had NAAC accreditation.
It was recognised under Section 12B of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act.
Both claims were allegedly made to attract students and their families by showing a higher level of credibility than what the university actually had.
The UGC later clarified that Al Falah University is listed only as a state private university under Section 2(f). They also confirmed that the university has never applied for recognition under Section 12B, which is a requirement for receiving central government grants.
The ED said in a statement that the false claims were allegedly used for financial gain, and they formed part of a larger pattern of financial irregularities within the Al Falah Group. As part of the investigation, the ED launched a series of raids on Tuesday morning.
Multiple teams of the ED began searching properties linked to Al Falah University, its trust, and its promoters at around 5:15 am on Tuesday. Officials said the raids were carried out at more than 25 locations across Delhi-NCR, including Delhi’s Okhla area. These searches were conducted with the support of police and paramilitary forces to ensure safety and security.
During the raids, the ED said it was investigating:
Use of shell companies
Accommodation entries
Possible money laundering routes
Financial activities of Al Falah Trust and related entities
An ED official, quoted by PTI, confirmed that these operations are part of a wider investigation into suspicious financial transactions and links to entities connected with the November 10 blast case.
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The controversy around Al Falah University intensified earlier this week when Hamood Ahmad Siddiqui, the younger brother of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, was arrested in Hyderabad. He was wanted in nearly 25-year-old fraud cases in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow town.
Police said Hamood Ahmad Siddiqui was accused of running an investment fraud worth around Rs 40 lakh. A reward of Rs 10,000 had been announced for his arrest. According to Madhya Pradesh police, he was taken into custody for his involvement in three separate financial fraud cases.
The arrests of both brothers come at a time when Al Falah University is being closely examined for its alleged link to the November 10 high-intensity car blast near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi.
On November 10, a powerful explosion took place inside a parked Hyundai i20 car near Red Fort Metro Station Gate Number 1. The blast killed at least 13 people, injured over 20 others, and destroyed several vehicles parked nearby. The explosion also triggered a fire that quickly spread across the parking area.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described the blast as a “terrorist incident.” The government expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and directed all agencies to investigate the matter with the highest level of urgency. The Cabinet has also instructed investigators to identify not just the perpetrators but also their collaborators and sponsors.
Following the blast, several doctors were arrested in connection with the explosion, and Al Falah University came under the scanner due to some suspected links to individuals associated with the case. This has further intensified scrutiny into the university’s operations and financial activities.
With Siddiqui now in 13-day ED custody, investigators will question him about:
Alleged fake accreditation claims
Suspicious financial activities
Relations between the Al Falah Trust and shell companies
Money laundering patterns
Possible links between university entities and individuals involved in the Red Fort blast
ED officials said more arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation continues to expand. The searches conducted at various premises have reportedly yielded important evidence that will help investigators understand the flow of funds.
For now, the case has raised serious concerns over how educational institutions may be misused for illegal financial activities. As the probe widens, more details are expected to emerge from the ED’s custody interrogation of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui.
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