ED arrests Al Falah University founder, probing link to Red Fort blast terror funding

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, founder of Al-Falah University and chairman of the Al-Falah Group, in a money laundering case that is also being examined for possible terror-financing links, officials said.

The action comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Faridabad-based university, which investigators describe as the epicentre of a ‘white-collar’ terror module linked to the November 10 Red Fort blast that killed 14 people and injured several others. Earlier in the day, India Today TV reported that Siddiqui was being questioned, and his residence was under search.

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officials said the arrest followed detailed scrutiny of evidence collected during searches at university premises and other locations tied to the Al-Falah Group.

According to sources, the ED probe was initiated after two FIRs by Delhi Police Crime Branch alleged that Al-Falah University made fraudulent NAAC accreditation claims and falsely projected itself as recognised under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act to mislead students and parents.

The UGC later clarified that the university is listed only under Section 2(f) as a state private university and has never been eligible for grants under 12(B).