The Delhi Police have arrested the chairman of the Faridabad-based Al Falah University in a case related to alleged fraud and irregularities, officials said.
Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui was produced before a Delhi court, which granted the Crime Branch four days of police custody for further investigation. Siddique’s arrest follows the registration of two separate FIRs by the Delhi Police Crime Branch after complaints were filed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) alleging that the university had falsely claimed accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
On January 16, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed a charge sheet against Siddique and the Al Falah Charitable Trust in an alleged money-laundering case as part of its probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
On Saturday, a Delhi Saket Court listed the hearing of arguments for consideration of the Enforcement Directorate’s charge sheet against Al Falah Group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui to February 13.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ), Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan, listed the matter for consideration after hearing submissions of counsel for Siddiqui, who sought time for scrutiny of documents filed along with the charge sheet.
Also Read: Red Fort car bomber was employed by Univ without verification
The ED told the court that Siddiqui was arrested in connection with alleged money laundering involving the Al Falah Charitable Trust, which controls the university and its affiliated educational institutions. The agency’s action followed the Crime Branch FIRs alleging that the university and its institutions falsely advertised expired NAAC accreditation grades.
The probe body has further alleged that claims of regulatory recognition were fabricated to mislead students and parents, thereby inducing admissions and the collection of fees through misrepresentation. The court recorded that the agency’s financial analysis indicated that funds collected during the relevant period appeared to be linked to the alleged misrepresentations, bringing them 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 certain contracts were allegedly diverted to entities linked to the accused’s family, and that senior officials confirmed Siddiqui’s role in approving major financial decisions. The agency also pointed to alleged layering of funds through related entities to obscure the money trail.
The Al Falah University and its parent body, the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, came into the fold of investigations pertaining to the November 10, 2025, Red Fort car blast case when extensive links of perpetrators to the university came to the fore. Fifteen people were killed in the blast, which later revealed a “white collar” terror module.
The driver of the explosive-laden car outside the Red Fort was identified via DNA as Dr. Umar un Nabi, an Assistant Professor in General Medicine at Al-Falah University. Several other university staff members, including Dr. Muzammil Ganaie and Dr. Shaheen Saeed, were arrested for alleged roles in the terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.
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