The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al Falah Group. The arrests followed simultaneous searches conducted at various locations in Delhi-NCR targeting confidants and supporters Al Falah University based in Faridabad.
The university was at the center of a wider investigation into a car explosion in the Red Fort area.
Siddiqui was arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. He is currently remanded in custody.
The Federal Financial Investigation Agency has launched an investigation into the Al Falah Group based on two First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Delhi Crime Branch. These reports allege that Faridabad-based Al Falah University has made fraudulent and misleading claims for accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The intention, according to the complaints, was to deceive students, parents and stakeholders for illegal financial gain.
The FIRs further state that the university falsely claimed recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956. This was allegedly done with the motive of deceiving prospective students, parents, guardians and the general public for undue gain and causing them undue loss.
The UGC has confirmed that Al Falah University is only covered under Section 2(f) as a State Private University; has never applied for classification under § 12(B) and is therefore ineligible for grants under this special provision.
They also detained ED during searches that began at approximately 5:15 a.m ₹48 million in cash, according to sources cited by the news agency PTI.
Several raids were carried out in the Al Falah compound
Several teams from the executive directorate raided at least 25 premises belonging to Al Falah Trust and the university facility. Agency officials also raided an office in Delhi’s Okhla area, with police and paramilitary forces handling the operation.
Officials told PTI that at least nine shell companies linked to the group, all registered at one address, are currently under the scrutiny of the ED.
The investigation is related to a separate incident where, in an explosion that occurred on 10 Red Fort Metro Station Gate No. 1 in Delhi after an explosives-laden car exploded. The involvement of several doctors associated with the university and Kashmir is also under intense scrutiny by counter-terrorism investigative agencies.
