Al-Falah University chief arrested by ED amid Red Fort blast probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of the Al-Falah Group, in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Al-Falah Charitable Trust.

The arrest comes amid an ongoing NIA investigation into the university’s alleged links to the Red Fort bomb blast and the “white-collar” terror module busted earlier by the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

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According to reports, ED officials uncovered several irregularities in the functioning of the Trust, including diversion of funds and the awarding of contracts to family-linked firms.

Al-Falah Medical University came under scrutiny after the Jammu and Kashmir Police dismantled a “white-collar” terror network and arrested one of its doctors, Dr. Muzammil Ganaie. Police also recovered approximately 2,900 kg of explosive material, including over 350 kg of ammonium nitrate, from Ganaie’s room.

As the investigation expanded and more associates of Dr. Ganaie were detained, Dr. Umar Un Nabi, also affiliated with Al-Falah University, detonated a car bomb near Delhi’s iconic Red Fort. The blast killed at least 15 people and injured more than 20, and was later confirmed to be a terror attack.

Subsequent multi-agency investigations revealed that Nabi was part of the same “white-collar” module operating within the Al-Falah ecosystem. Although the university denied having any direct connection to the accused beyond professional ties, several discrepancies—including false accreditation claims—surfaced.

These developments prompted the ED to initiate a separate money laundering probe. The Al-Falah Charitable Trust, established in 1995, lists Siddiqui as a founding and managing trustee and oversees all educational institutions under the group.

As part of the probe, the ED conducted search operations at 19 locations in Delhi on Tuesday, including university premises and residences of key individuals.

Officers seized over ₹48 lakh in cash, multiple digital devices, and various documents. Investigators also identified several shell companies within the group and detected violations under multiple Acts.