Al-Falah Group Chairman Jawad Siddiqui Arrested by ED in Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, chairman of the Al-Falah group, in a money laundering case tied to alleged fraudulent accreditation claims and financial irregularities involving the group’s flagship institutions.

Siddiqui, who has served as chancellor of Al-Falah University in Faridabad since 2014, was taken into custody under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after officials examined material seized during search operations carried out earlier in the day.

Al-Falah Medical College, built on a 72-acre campus in Faridabad, has been at the centre of one of India’s biggest terror-related investigations in recent years. Police allege that key suspects — including faculty member Umar Un Nabi, identified by the National Investigation Agency as the suicide bomber behind the Red Fort blast — used a room on the campus to plan logistics and transport routes for ammonium nitrate meant for multiple explosions across the National Capital Region. Investigators said the Hyundai i20 that detonated near Red Fort had been parked inside the campus for nearly 20 days.

The ED case, however, arises from two FIRs filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, accusing Al-Falah University of falsely claiming accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and misrepresenting its eligibility under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act. The UGC has clarified that the university is recognised only under Section 2(f) as a state private university and has never been eligible for central grants.

According to a senior ED official, Siddiqui—who has been managing trustee of the Al-Falah Charitable Trust since 1995—exercised complete control over the trust and its network of institutions.

“Despite the group’s rapid expansion since the late 1990s, investigators say its financials do not support such growth,” the official said.

During searches at 19 locations across the NCR, including the university campus and the homes of key personnel, the ED claimed to have uncovered evidence of large-scale fund diversion. Officials said proceeds of crime worth several crores were routed to family-owned entities, with construction and catering contracts allegedly awarded to firms linked to Siddiqui’s wife and children.

The agency seized ₹48 lakh in cash, digital devices and documents, and identified multiple shell companies believed to be part of the laundering network.

The ED official said the recovery of cash and evidence of layering and diversion of funds established Siddiqui’s role in the alleged offences, leading to his arrest.

“He has been produced before a court for custodial remand. Further investigation is underway,” the official added.