Delhi Police has arrested Al Falah University Chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui in connection with alleged fraud and irregularities, ANI reported citing officials.
The arrest came after the University Grants Commission (UGC) filed complaints and the police registered two separate FIRs against Siddiqui in connection with the case, ANI reported.
Police said Siddiqui was produced before a Delhi court, which granted the crime branch four days of police custody for further investigation.
The crime branch has registered cases over alleged irregularities and forgeries related to the functioning of the private university after the blast at the Red Fort, PTI reported.
Delhi’s Saket court on Saturday scheduled hearing arguments on the February 13 Enforcement Directorate (ED) charge sheet against Al Falah group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui.
On January 16, the ED filed a chargesheet against Siddiqui and Al Falah Charitable Trust in an alleged money laundering case.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan listed the matter for consideration after hearing the submissions of Siddiqui’s counsel, who sought time to examine the documents filed along with the charge sheet.
According to the agency, the investigation was initiated on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police. The FIRs alleged that the university had falsely sought accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The Enforcement Directorate informed the court that it has temporarily attached the property as part of an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Earlier, the ED told the court that Siddiqui was arrested in connection with an alleged money laundering case involving the Al Falah Charitable Trust, which controls the university and its affiliated educational institutions. The agency’s action followed Crime Branch FIRs alleging that the university and its institutions falsely advertised expired NAAC accreditation.
The ED further alleged that the claims of recognition by the regulatory authorities were fabricated to mislead the students and parents thereby inducing acceptance and collection of fees through false representations. The court noted that the agency’s financial analysis showed that the funds collected during the relevant period were apparently linked to the alleged false statements, thus falling within the ambit of proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
Searches conducted at multiple locations led to the recovery of cash, digital devices and financial records. The ED told the court that some contracts were allegedly diverted to entities linked to the accused’s family and that senior officials had confirmed Siddiqui’s role in approving major financial decisions. The agency also pointed to the alleged layering of funds through related entities to cover the money trail, ANI reported.
Notably, the investigation into the November 10, 2025 Red Fort car blast – which left 15 dead – revealed extensive links to Al-Falah University and its parent organization Al-Falah Charitable Trust.
The driver of the explosives-laden car was identified through DNA as Dr. Umar un Nabi, an assistant professor of general medicine at Al-Falah University. Several other members of the university staff, including Drs. Muzammila Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Saeed, was arrested for her alleged role in a “white collar” terrorist cell linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.
