Al-Falah University Under Investigation for Links to Red Fort Blast
Investigation into Al-Falah University
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has raised concerns regarding Al-Falah University in Faridabad, alleging that the institution hired three doctors linked to the November 10 explosion near Delhi's Red Fort without conducting necessary police checks.
Among the suspects, two doctors, Muzammil Ganaie and Shaheen Saeed, have been apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), while the third, Umar Nabi, is suspected of driving the vehicle involved in the blast that resulted in 15 fatalities.
On Friday, the ED announced that it had submitted a chargesheet to a Delhi court against Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the university's Chairperson, and the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which oversees the university's operations, in connection with a money laundering investigation.
The court has yet to acknowledge the chargesheet, according to reports.
The Al-Falah group is currently under investigation related to the aforementioned blast.
Siddiqui was taken into custody on November 18 and is currently in judicial detention.
The ED has also provisionally seized assets valued at approximately Rs 140 crore belonging to Al-Falah University.
As per the ED's chargesheet, the university allegedly employed doctors merely on paper, categorizing them under a '22-day punch' or 'two days per week' clause to present them as regular faculty members and secure approvals from the National Medical Commission.
Bhupinder Kaur Anand, the university's vice-chancellor, reportedly confirmed to the ED that the appointments of the three doctors were made based on recommendations from the human resources head and Siddiqui's approvals, without any police verification.
The agency claims that some doctors were temporarily hired to fulfill regulatory requirements, while others were listed on payrolls without attending classes or treating patients.
These 'on paper staff' were allegedly aware of their status and were issued 'fake' work experience certificates, as per the agency's allegations.
The ED further alleged that fake patients were admitted shortly before inspections, and the hospital was largely inactive weeks prior to assessments by the National Medical Commission, which regulates medical education and practice.
The chargesheet accuses Siddiqui and the Trust of misrepresenting the university's accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and recognition from the University Grants Commission to mislead students, generating illicit funds amounting to Rs 493.24 crore from tuition and examination fees.
Certificates for courses were reportedly obtained through fraudulent means, as stated by the agency.
Details of the Incident
The explosion near the Red Fort metro station resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals. Umar Un Nabi, a doctor, is believed to have been the driver of the vehicle that detonated. The Union government classified the incident as a 'terrorist act' shortly after.
Since the incident, the NIA has arrested at least nine individuals connected to the blast.
Hours before the explosion, police announced the dismantling of an 'inter-state and transnational terror module' operating in Faridabad and Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, recovering 2,900 kg of materials for making improvised explosive devices during raids across several states.
During the investigation, police alleged that key suspects, including Nabi, utilized a room at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad to coordinate logistics for transporting ammonium nitrate for planned explosions in the National Capital Region.
The vehicle involved in the blast had reportedly been parked on campus for nearly 20 days, according to police statements.
Siddiqui, who has served as chancellor of Al-Falah University since 2014, was detained under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act following the examination of materials seized during searches on November 18.
The ED's case is based on two first information reports filed by the Delhi Police, which allege that Al-Falah University falsely claimed accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and misrepresented its eligibility under the University Grants Commission Act.