Al Falah University Chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui Sent to 13 Days ED Custody (Source: X/ AI)
A local court in Delhi has sent Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman and founder of Al Falah University, to 13-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody. The Saket Court issued the order after Siddiqui was produced late Tuesday night following his arrest. According to the ED, Siddiqui was taken into custody under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The action came after the recovery of crucial information and evidence during searches at premises connected with the Al Falah Group.
The ED's investigation is based on two FIRs registered in connection with complaints filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. The FIRs accused Al Falah University, Faridabad, of making false claims regarding its accreditation. The university had claimed that it had NAAC accreditation and was recognized under Section 12 B of the University Grants Commission Act. It was further alleged that such false claims were being made to dupe students, parents, and the public at large for financial gains. The UGC however clarified that Al Falah University figures only as a state private university under Section 2 F and has never applied for recognition under Section 12 B.
The ED early on Tuesday conducted raids across the Delhi-NCR region at the residences of trustees and promoters of Al Falah University. Multiple teams raided at least 25 premises linked to the Al Falah trust and university since 5:15 am, officials said. One of the offices raided was in the Okhla area of Delhi. Police and paramilitary forces were stationed outside the office, they said. An ED official told news agency PTI that the operations are part of an ongoing probe into allegations of financial irregularities, money laundering, and the use of shell companies and accommodation entities, with the role of the Al Falah Trust and related organisations under investigation.
Earlier this week, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui's younger brother, Hamood Ahmad Siddiqui, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh police in Hyderabad in connection with nearly 25-year-old fraud cases. The police had declared a reward of Rs 10,000 on his arrest. The 50-year-old Hamood has been accused in three fraud cases involving money investments at Mhow town of Madhya Pradesh, wherein he had duped people of around Rs 40 lakh, said Superintendent of Police Yangchen Dolkar Bhutia.
Al Falah University has come under closer scrutiny after a few doctors linked with the November 10 high-intensity car blast near Delhi's Red Fort were arrested. The blast in a parked Hyundai i20 killed at least 13 people, injured over 20, and damaged several vehicles. The blast had triggered a fire that spread quickly to the cars parked in its vicinity and occurred near Gate Number 1 of Red Fort Metro Station. It termed the incident a "terrorist act." The Union Cabinet, headed by PM Narendra Modi, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives. The government has directed all investigating agencies to deal with the case urgently and professionally to ensure that the perpetrators, collaborators, and their sponsors are brought to justice with all due expedition.
Also Read: ED Arrests Al-Falah Group Chairman in Red Fort Blast Linked Money Laundering Case
