ED to seize Al-Falah university over alleged money laundering links to Red Fort blast case
Faridabad (The Uttam Hindu): The Enforcement Directorate's crackdown on Al-Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, may intensify. Sources say the Enforcement Directorate is preparing to seize the university campus under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The investigating agency suspects that several of the university's buildings were constructed using criminal proceeds.
An ED investigation has revealed that funds used to construct buildings at Al-Falah University, located in the Dhauj area of Faridabad, may have allegedly come from illegal sources. Based on this, the agency is considering property confiscation. If this step is taken, it would be a major blow to Al-Falah University and its associated trust.
Al-Falah University will be seized! ED may take major action, the case is related to the Red Fort blast: It is noteworthy that Al-Falah University has been under the scanner of central investigating agencies since the car bomb blast near the Red Fort in the National Capital Region last year. After this incident, investigations were started into various aspects related to security and financial transactions, in which some suspicious financial transactions related to the Al-Falah Group also came to light. After this, the ED started a detailed investigation into the activities of the university and its related trust.
The ED is also investigating whether funds used to build and operate the university were obtained from illegal sources and then invested in educational institutions to appear legitimate. The investigating agency believes the case is not limited to the construction of buildings, but rather involves widespread financial irregularities and a major money laundering network.
In this case, Al-Falah Group Chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in November last year. He faces serious charges related to money laundering. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) claims that some educational institutions run by the Al-Falah Trust allegedly defrauded students. According to the agency, these institutions lacked the necessary accreditation to provide education, yet they charged fees from students.
The investigation also revealed that funds collected from students were allegedly used for other activities and the construction of properties, which fall under the PMLA category. Based on this, the process of confiscating the university campus can now be initiated.
At present, there has been no official confirmation from the ED regarding the date of the attachment or the final order, although sources say the investigation is nearing its final stage. If the attachment proceeds, it could impact the university's operations as well as students and staff. No official statement has yet been issued by Al-Falah University or the Trust regarding the matter.