A special court in Delhi has ordered the remand of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman of Al-Falah Group, to 13 days of Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody. Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan passed this decision after hearing the case in her chambers past midnight.
NEW DELHI: A significant development has occurred in the alleged money laundering and fake accreditation scam linked to Al-Falah University. Delhi's special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court has sent Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the university's Chairman and founder, to 13 days of Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody. This action garnered further attention when Siddiqui was produced at 11 PM at the residence of Saket Court's Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan, and the remand order was issued after a late-night hearing.
Arrest Under Section 19 of PMLA
The ED arrested Siddiqui late on the night of November 18, 2025. The agency alleges that Al-Falah University and its associated institutions misled students by claiming fake accreditation and illegally transferred the funds received to other locations. The agency informed the court that:
- the investigation is currently in its preliminary stage
- custodial interrogation of Siddiqui is necessary
- there is a need to uncover the links of the crime and establish the money trail
- there is an apprehension of evidence being destroyed or witnesses being influenced
The court found these arguments sufficient and approved the 13-day ED remand.
Suspected Income of ₹415 Crore – ED's Claim
According to the financial analysis presented by the agency, Al-Falah Institutions earned an income of ₹415.10 crore through education fees and other services between the financial years 2018-19 and 2024-25. The ED claims that this amount is "Proceeds of Crime," as the university allegedly:
- displayed fake accreditation
- misrepresented its statutory status
- misled students and collected fees
The court held that this income was acquired through alleged fraud and forgery, which falls under the purview of offenses listed in the schedules of the PMLA. Al-Falah University and its founder once again came into the limelight when agencies found significant links related to this institution during the investigation into the Red Fort car bomb blast case.
- Accused Dr. Umar Nabi, linked to the blast, had connections with Al-Falah University's hospital
- Several suspects from a "white-collar terror network" were found to be associated with this university
- The ED initiated a money laundering investigation based on two FIRs from the Delhi Police Crime Branch
In this case, the ED conducted raids at around 25 locations, after which Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui was arrested.
Late-Night Legal Proceedings, Court Deemed it a Serious Matter
What was surprising was that Saket Court Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan issued this order after a special hearing in her chambers past midnight. The court stated that the evidence presented indicates sufficient seriousness, and the apprehension of widespread economic crime cannot be overlooked. The Judge held that:
- large-scale financial irregularities in the case
- serious damage to public interest
- and aspects related to national security are under investigation
This was the reason why the court sent Siddiqui to 13 days of custody.
