Al Falah University founder arrested in connection with Delhi Red Fort blast and terror financing

New Delhi: In a significant development, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the founder of Al Falah University in Faridabad, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi Red Fort blast and alleged terror financing. The arrest follows an extensive investigation into money laundering and the terrorist financing activities linked to the institution.

The Red Fort blast, which occurred on November 10, resulted in 15 deaths and several injuries, and is believed to have been carried out by Dr. Umar un Nabi, a suicide bomber with ties to the Al Falah University.

The university has been under scrutiny after the Delhi Police Crime Branch filed two FIRs related to fraud and forged documents concerning the institution. The ED has been investigating the university’s role in financing terrorist activities and money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The Enforcement Directorate carried out a series of raids at 19 locations across Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in connection with the Al Falah University and its affiliated institutions. The raids were part of a broader crackdown on a ‘white-collar’ terrorist module with links to terror organizations like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

According to ED sources, 2,900 kg of explosives were seized during the investigation from two rented rooms in Faridabad. In addition to Siddiqui, several individuals, including doctors associated with the university and religious figures tied to a mosque in Faridabad, have been arrested.

The investigation has revealed that Al Falah University’s rapid growth over the past few decades may have been financed through questionable transactions and suspicious financial dealings. Despite presenting itself as a major educational institution, the university is said to have lacked sufficient legitimate financial backing.

The arrest of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui and the ongoing probe have raised serious questions about the role of educational institutions in funding terrorist activities. The Enforcement Directorate is also examining the role of various university officials and affiliated entities in facilitating financial transactions linked to terror groups.

Al Falah University has been in the spotlight recently due to its connection to the Red Fort bombing. The arrested Dr. Umar un Nabi, a Kashmiri resident, was identified as the suicide bomber responsible for the deadly attack. Investigations suggest that he had close ties with the university and was reportedly in contact with individuals involved in terrorist activities.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the Delhi Police has confirmed that the Al Falah University was involved in fraudulent financial activities, including manipulating funds intended for educational purposes. The university is also accused of issuing false documents and misappropriating government grants.

The Enforcement Directorate has vowed to continue its efforts in investigating the links between educational institutions and terrorist financing. The arrest of Siddiqui marks a critical step in unraveling a broader network of terror funding through educational institutions, which has raised concerns across the country.

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