Al Falah University founder arrested in money laundering case linked to Delhi blast probe

He was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED’s action comes days after two FIRs were filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch against the university, involving accusations of cheating and forgery related to accreditation documents.

The Faridabad-based university has been under intense scrutiny following the arrest of several doctors linked to the suicide bombing near the Red Fort that killed 15 people and injured many others.

The bomber, Dr Umar-un-Nabi, was associated with the institution.

According to the probe agency, Siddiqui’s arrest follows an extensive investigation, including searches at 19 locations across Delhi.

These included the Al Falah University campus and the residences of key members of the Al Falah Group. The ED said it found evidence indicating large-scale diversion of funds.

Officials claimed that crores of rupees were routed from the university trust to companies owned by Siddiqui’s family members.

Contracts for construction and catering services were allegedly awarded to entities controlled by his wife and children. During the search operations, investigators recovered over ₹48 lakh in cash, multiple digital devices, and extensive documentation.

The ED also said it uncovered multiple shell companies linked to the group and detected violations under several financial and corporate laws.

Their preliminary findings suggest potential fund diversion, layering of money through various entities, and suspicious transactions routed through the university’s networks.

The agency noted that the Al Falah Group had expanded rapidly since the 1990s but claimed that this rise was not supported by legitimate financial records.

Evidence recovered during searches, the ED said, indicates a broader pattern of generating and laundering proceeds of crime.

These developments come as authorities continue dismantling what they describe as a “white-collar terror module” with alleged ties to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

The investigation has so far led to the seizure of nearly 2,900 kg of explosive material from rented rooms in Faridabad and the arrest or detention of several individuals, including medical professionals associated with the university and a cleric from a local mosque.