ED arrests Al-Falah University founder Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui amid Red Fort terror attack probe

Siddiqui was arrested on Tuesday evening, hours after multiple teams of the ED carried out searches at 25 locations linked to the Al Falah group in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). “The arrest took place today following a detailed investigation and analysis of evidence gathered during search action,” an ED spokesperson said.

“Siddiqui is effectively controlling the trust and its activities, which has been brought out by multiple pieces of evidence. Exhaustive evidence including recovery of cash from trustees’ diversion of funds to family concern, layering of funds etc. clearly establish the pattern of generation and layering of proceeds of crime… He has been produced before the court for seeking ED remand,” the spokesperson said.

The ED initiated investigation against the Al Falah group on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. “They have made allegations that Al Falah University, Faridabad, has made fraudulent and misleading claims of NAAC accreditation with an intention to deceive students, parents, and stakeholders for wrongful gain,” the spokesperson said.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC) that assesses and accredits higher educational institutions such as colleges and universities to understand their ‘quality status’.

“It has also been mentioned in FIR that Al Falah University has falsely claimed UGC recognition under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956 with oblique motive to cheat the aspirants, students, parents, guardians, stakeholders and general public,” the spokesperson said.

“The UGC has clarified that Al Falah University is included only under Section 2(f) as a State Private University, has never applied for inclusion under Section 12(B), and is not eligible for grants under that provision,” the spokesperson said.

According to the ED, Al Falah Charitable Trust was constituted by a public charitable trust deed dated September 8, 1995, with Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui as one of the first trustees, who was designated as the Managing Trustee.

“All the educational institutions (university and colleges) are ultimately owned and financially consolidated under this trust, which is effectively controlled by Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui. The entire Al Falah group has seen a meteoric rise since the 1990s metamorphosing into a large educational body. However, the rise is not backed by adequate financials,” the spokesperson said.

“Investigation conducted by the ED has revealed that large amounts of proceeds of crime have been generated. Evidence reveals that crores of rupees have been diverted by the trust to family owned entities,” the spokesperson said.

“Nine shell companies linked to the Al Falah group, all registered at a single address, are under examination… The operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities, use of shell companies, accommodation entities and money laundering,” said a source.