The Delhi High Court on Friday issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a regular bail application filed by Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the Chairman of the Al Falah University group. Siddiqui is currently in custody for his alleged role in a multi-crore money laundering operation involving the diversion of student fees for personal gain.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee, presiding over the matter, directed the central agency to file its response to the bail plea. While the court has scheduled the main hearing for regular bail in July, it indicated that a separate plea for interim bail would be heard by the end of this month.
Allegations of Deception and Financial Diversion
Siddiqui was arrested on November 18, 2025, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation, spearheaded by the ED, originated from two FIRs lodged by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. According to the prosecution, Al Falah University—located in Faridabad—falsely projected itself as having NAAC accreditation and UGC recognition to lure unsuspecting students and parents.
The agency alleges that between 2018 and 2025, the university generated approximately ₹415.10 crore. Rather than being utilized for educational infrastructure or academic purposes, the ED claims these funds, collected as student fees, were systematically diverted for Siddiqui’s personal use.
Links to ‘White-Collar Terror’ Probe
The case carries significant weight due to the university’s prior scrutiny in a ‘white-collar terror’ investigation. The institution made headlines after two doctors associated with it were arrested. Furthermore, the probe identified Umar-un-Nabi, a doctor linked to the university’s hospital, as the suicide bomber responsible for the November 10 blast outside the Red Fort, an attack that claimed 15 lives.
Judicial History
The move to the High Court follows the rejection of Siddiqui’s bail application by a trial court on May 2.
Previously, on February 7, the trial court had granted Siddiqui a two-week interim bail on humanitarian grounds to support his wife during her cancer treatment. However, that temporary relief was challenged by the ED in the High Court, leading to a reconsideration of the matter by the trial court before the current regular bail application was moved.
The High Court’s upcoming decision in July will determine whether the university chairman remains in custody as the investigation into the alleged ₹415 crore fraud continues.
