Saket Court : Delhi’s Saket Court on Saturday extended proceedings involving Al Falah Group Chairman Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui and scheduled arguments on the consideration of the Enforcement Directorate’s charge sheet for February 13. The case relates to allegations of money laundering linked to the operations of the Al Falah Charitable Trust and associated educational institutions.
The Enforcement Directorate filed its charge sheet on January 16, naming Siddiqui and the Al Falah Charitable Trust under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The matter was placed before Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan, who agreed to list the case for consideration after the defence sought time to examine the documents submitted along with the charge sheet.
During the hearing, Siddiqui’s counsel requested additional time to scrutinise the prosecution’s filings, a plea that was accepted by the court. The Enforcement Directorate was represented by Special Public Prosecutor Simon Benjamin, who maintained that the investigative agency had placed adequate material on record to justify the court taking cognisance of the case. The prosecution reiterated its position that the evidence points to a prima facie instance of money laundering.
According to the agency, the money laundering probe stemmed from two first information reports registered by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. These FIRs alleged that a university run by the trust had falsely projected itself as holding valid accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. Investigators claim that such representations were made despite the accreditation having expired.
The Enforcement Directorate informed the court that the alleged false claims were used to attract students and their families, leading to admissions and the collection of fees on the basis of misleading information. Financial scrutiny conducted by the agency reportedly suggested that funds generated during this period were connected to the alleged misrepresentation, bringing them within the definition of proceeds of crime under the PMLA framework.
As part of the ongoing probe, the agency stated that it has provisionally attached certain assets believed to be linked to the alleged offences. Searches carried out at multiple locations resulted in the seizure of cash, digital devices, and financial documents. Investigators also told the court that some contracts were allegedly routed to entities connected to members of the accused’s family.
The charge sheet further refers to statements from senior officials who, according to the agency, confirmed Siddiqui’s involvement in approving significant financial decisions. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that funds were layered through related entities in a manner designed to complicate tracing the money trail, a method often cited in money laundering investigations.
The case has also drawn attention due to separate investigative findings related to a deadly car blast near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which resulted in 15 fatalities. Investigators reportedly identified links between individuals associated with Al-Falah University and the Al Falah Charitable Trust and those involved in the incident.
Authorities stated that the driver of the vehicle used in the blast was identified through DNA analysis as Dr Umar un Nabi, who was working as an assistant professor in general medicine at the university. Other staff members, including Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Saeed, were also arrested for their alleged involvement in what investigators described as a white-collar terror module with purported links to banned extremist organisations.
Following these developments, the Enforcement Directorate and other agencies initiated a series of actions against the trust and the university. Officials have indicated that investigations remain ongoing, and further proceedings will depend on the court’s assessment of the charge sheet when arguments are heard next month.
