Delhi Blast: Big surprise in Red Fort blast investigation – Al Falah Group Chairman Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui arrested
Red Fort blast: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman and Managing Trustee of Al Falah Charitable Trust and Al Falah Group, on charges of financial corruption. He was taken into custody on Tuesday under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The ED conducted searches at a total of 19 locations across Delhi-NCR before the arrests. The raids were conducted simultaneously at the homes and offices of several important individuals, including Al Falah University in Faridabad. Over Rs 48 lakh in cash, several digital devices and several important documents were recovered during the searches. Al Falah University has been under investigation since the recent unveiling of the “white-collar terror module” and the November 10 blast near the Red Fort in Delhi that killed 15 people.
The ED’s investigation is based on two FIRs, filed by the Delhi Police. It is alleged that Al Falah University has been misleading students and parents for years by claiming fake NAAC accreditation and UGC 12(B) recognition. The UGC has already made it clear that the university is listed only under UGC Section 2(f) and is therefore not eligible for any central grants.
The ED has also alleged that a huge amount of “proceeds of crime” was diverted through various shell companies and sent elsewhere. The ED has even claimed that evidence has been found of illegal contracts being awarded to companies owned by Siddiqui’s wife and children. After his arrest, Siddiqui was produced before a special court on Tuesday. The ED has applied for his custody for questioning.
