An Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation has revealed that Haryana-based Al Falah University generated proceeds of crime worth Rs 415 crore by fraudulently inducing students to join it based on false accreditation and recognition claims.
In a remand report filed before a Delhi court after the arrest of Al Falah group chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the agency said an analysis of the Income Tax returns of the institution revealed that substantial revenues were shown as voluntary contributions and educational receipts.
The university came under the radar of the central security agencies after three doctors working there were found to be involved in the conspiracy of the car blast that rocked the Red Fort area of Delhi on November 10.
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The ED launched its investigation after taking cognisance of the first information reports filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Delhi Police. It arrested Siddiqui on Tuesday evening after conducting raids at several locations linked to the university in the national capital.
The ED analysed the I-T returns of the university from Financial Year (FY) 2014-15 to FY 2024-25—the period after the university's establishment. It informed the court that the aggregate income from years when institutions lacked valid accreditation stands at Rs 415.10 crore.
The agency argued that a custodial interrogation of Siddiqui was essential to uncover fee structures, donations, inter-entity fund flows, and any benami or off-book assets created using illicit funds.
Al Falah University is accused of having lured students into admissions by falsely claiming a UGC 12B certificate on its official website. It also allegedly accepted admissions despite its National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation having expired in 2018.
The Delhi Police and the Crime Branch have already filed two separate FIRs against the institution under charges of cheating and forgery. |
